MOST Zimbabweans have expressed concern over the involvement of the military in civilian life and politics saying it is becoming a serious issue, a report by a rights watchdog has revealed, amid fears this could have repercussions on democracy and public trust.
In its 2023-24 Annual State of Peace Report, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) revealed that nearly 68% of Zimbabweans are worried about the military’s growing influence in government.
The report noted that the military, once seen as just a part of national security, has extended its reach to day-to-day governance.
“Citizens are feeling the weight of this increased military involvement, with 49% of respondents expressing that they feel directly threatened by the military’s role in governance,” the report said.
“This sense of fear, combined with political tensions, has fuelled an environment of intimidation, particularly during elections.
“This has eroded the fundamental principles of democracy, replacing civilian leadership with military dominance, particularly in election-related activities.”
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ZimRights said the military influence had not only contributed to the erosion of democratic processes, but also undermined trust in public institutions.
“When the military plays such a visible role in politics, it creates a climate of fear and weakens the people’s trust in government systems. Democracy can only thrive when civilian authorities, not the military, are in control,” ZimRights national director Dzikamai Bere said.
Zimbabwe National Army spokesperson Colonel Alphios Makotore said the army did not comment on political issues, as he referred NewsDay to the Defence ministry.
Levi Mayihlome, Defence deputy minister, said: “That’s for the Defence Forces public relations or the Hon minister of Defence. Deputy ministers do not issue or comment on such matters.”
NewsDay could not get a comment from Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri as she had not responded to questions sent via her mobile phone.
According to scholar Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni, there is an alliance between Zanu PF party nationalist leadership and the military.
This alliance, he said, had guarded the nationalist shrine up to today and has defined politics in terms of a straitjacket that only fits those with nationalist and military background.
On the eve of the 2002 presidential elections, then Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander the late General Vitalis Zvinavashe declared that the country’s security forces would only support political leaders who pursued Zimbabwean values, traditions and beliefs for which thousands of lives were lost in pursuit of Zimbabwe’s hard-won independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interest.
This was seen as an attack on then opposition leader the late Morgan Tsvangirai whose then one-year-old Movement Democratic for Change party had shocked Zanu PF by winning key seats in the 2000 parliamentary elections.
In November 2017, the military stepped in resulting in then President the late Robert Mugabe resigning.
In June, ZNA commander Anselem Sanyatwe touched off a storm over his remarks that Zanu PF will “rule forever” with experts saying he violated the Constitution.
Speaking during a Zanu PF inter-district meeting in Nyanga in July, Sanyatwe said the ruling party would rule the country for eternity “whether you like it or not”.
Sanyatwe was quoted saying Zanu PF shall rule until donkeys grow horns.
“Whatever your stated and expressed wishes, I am now speaking as the commander of the army. We shall use what is called command voting. Do we understand each other? Forward with Zanu (PF), forward with (PF). Forward with ED Mnangagwa. Down with the enemy,” he said, chanting a Zanu PF slogan.
Top lawyer Thabani Mpofu gave Sanyatwe seven days to retract the statement or he would pursue legal means. The ultimatum was ignored.
Serving and retired military officers have been deployed to sit on the boards of parastatals in what critics say is militarisation of State institutions.
Military officers say their role has expanded from providing defence and security to tackling new threats such as national disasters, climate change or food security.