Zimbabwe Defence Forces chief breathes fire

Zimbabwe’s Defence Forces Chief General Constantine Chiwenga has warned those fomenting trouble that the security services will not tolerate any nonsense.

“This nonsense of someone who was at a refugee camp or was a cleaner moving around telling people that he or she fought in the struggle is just that – nonsense. Wakarwa hondo kupi?” he told The Sunday Mail.

Though Chiwenga did not mention any names, a war veteran said this was an apparent reference to Mandi Chimene, the Manicaland Provincial Affairs Minister who is trying to take over the leadership of the war veterans association.

The source said Chimene was not a war veteran but a gwada poshto.

“Vanhu ngavapute mbanje dzavo zvakanaka, hazvirambidzwi. Kana ririshave rekumusha kwenyu it’s ok, putayi ikoko – don’t disturb us because we have lost thousands of innocent sons and daughters,” Chiwenga said.

Chiwenga said though the defence forces were apolitical, people should not expect them to just stand by and watch the country go down the drain.

“We went to the struggle and brought Independence and today you cannot say I must shut my mind and completely forget where I came from.

“That’s what our Constitution says. Everyone contributed to writing the Constitution and it says we (the ZDF) shall uphold the Constitution.

“We are apolitical to the extent that we leave you to do what you like but the moment you threaten the sovereignty of the country, then you threaten that very Constitution.

“Please don’t expect us to sit and watch. We are there to protect the people and that’s what we are saying and will do.”

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