“It is pertinent to restate that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces remain the major stockholder in respect to the gains of the liberation struggle and when these are threatened we are obliged to take corrective measures.
“Clearly, ZANU-PF having mainly been the only party that has ruled this country since Independence, it had become a household name to most Zimbabweans across the political divide. Therefore, it is common cause that any instability within the party naturally impacts on their social, political and economic lives, accordingly, there is distress, trepidation and despondence within the nation.
“Our peace loving people who have stood by their government and endured some of the most trying social and economic conditions ever experienced are extremely disturbed by what is happening within the ranks of the national revolutionary party. What is obtaining in the revolutionary party is a direct result of the machinations of counter revolutionaries who have infiltrated the party and whose agenda is to destroy it from within…..
“It is our strong and deeply considered position that if drastic action is not taken immediately, our beloved country Zimbabwe is definitely headed to becoming a neo-colony again. The current purging and cleansing process in ZANU-PF which so far is targeting mostly members associated with our liberation history is a serious cause for concern to us in the Defence Forces.
“As a result of squabbling within the ranks of ZANU-PF, there has been no meaningful development in the country for the past five years. The resultant economic impasse has ushered in more challenges to the Zimbabwean populace such as cash shortages and rising commodity prices……
“Therefore, the current shenanigans by people who do not share the same liberation history of ZANU-PF party are not a surprise to us.…..We must remind those behind the current treacherous shenanigans that when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in. ZANU-PF’s standing political virtues are a product of faithful adherence to the founding values, decorum, discipline and revolutionary protocol in the ruling Party. Party orders were strictly adhered to and whatever differences existed, they were resolved amicably and in the ruling Party’s closet.
“Unfortunately since the turn of 2015, ZANU-PF’s traditional protocol and procedures have been changed with a lot of gossiping, back-biting and public chastisement being the order of the day,” Chiwenga said.
Chiwenga’s statement was not published in the local state-owned daily or on Zimbabwe television. It was brushed off by Mugabe’s lieutenants but two days later, the army had taken over.
Major General Sibusiso Moyo, who announced the takeover, said that this was not a military coup. Mugabe was still the Head of State and was safe.
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