ZANU-PF youth leader says they are solidly behind Mugabe – ED responds

STATEMENT IN OF THE REVOLUTION AND PEOPLES RIGHTS BY THE YOUTH

As the youth of Zimbabwe and as the young people whose future will be determined by the actions taken in the present, we have noted with shock, displeasure and disappointment the Press Statement of the Commander of the Defence Forces, General Constantine Guveya Chiwenga issued yesterday. We as Zanu Pf Youth League are a lion which has awakened and found its voice, therefore we will not sit idly and fold our hands whilst cheap potshots and threats are made against the legitimate and popularly elected Leader of the revolutionary party, ZANU PF and Zimbabwe,His Excellency, Head of State and Government and Commander In Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe.

This statement is therefore issued without regret, fear or compunction. Defending the revolution and our Leader and President is an ideal we live for and if need be it is a principle we are prepared to die for. From the outset, we would like to make it clear that we have every respect for the Armed Forces in this country and cherish their role in protecting and safeguarding the count, and its revolution. We are however totally against the bulk of the press statement issued by General Chiwenga yesterday. We believe that the views he exposed are his personal opinions and not the collective view of the security forces as a whole. It is no secret that the Security Forces in Zimbabwe know their parameters and hence the international respect they earned wherever they have played. We, therefore, address him directly and in kind.

The independence and democracy we enjoy did not come through the barrel of the mouth or press conferences but through the barrel of the gun and, tens of thousands shed their blood in a great sacrifice for the independence, peace and democracy which is now under assault. This freedom is therefore sacrosanct and we will not fold our hands to allow a creature of the Constitution subvert the very Constitution which establishes it. Section 211(3) of the constitution is very categorical in making the armed forces subordinate to civilian authority, patriotic. professional and non-partisan. More importantly, the same section of the Constitution calls upon the armed forces to respect the rights and freedoms of all persons mores the right of association.The selective reading, of the Constitution of Zimbabwe by Comrade Chiwenga whilst ignoring this important parts cannot go unchallenged as well as section 208(2) which makes the interference of the armed forces in civilian matters illegal. Section 218 of the same Constitution again forbids the army and security forces and confines them to the barracks where they belong during times of Peace.

We are therefore taking a stand against those who are bent on sowing division among our People and also those taking advantage of the privilege of their appointment by our President to extort guarantees and immunity for fugitives, border jumpers from the same appointing authority. These people should be warned that the youth are watching in our millions and those who wish to ride on the back of the tiger will end up inside.

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