(MISA/IFEX) – Zimbabwean Army General Vitalis Zvinavashe has warned the independent media and foreign correspondents of dire consequences if they continue to report negatively about the Zimbabwean government, human rights abuses and the security forces’ actions. Addressing a press conference attended by Zimbabwe’s top military, police and intelligence brass, Zvinavashe said the independent media and […]
(MISA/IFEX) – Zimbabwean Army General Vitalis Zvinavashe has warned the independent media and foreign correspondents of dire consequences if they continue to report negatively about the Zimbabwean government, human rights abuses and the security forces’ actions.
Addressing a press conference attended by Zimbabwe’s top military, police and intelligence brass, Zvinavashe said the independent media and foreign correspondents are involved in a campaign to demonise the security forces by undermining Zimbabwe’s security and peace.
Zvinavashe claimed that over the past two years there has been an increase in speculative, imaginary and false articles by both the independent media and foreign journalists. “The statements have caused insecurity, uncertainty, confusion, and tarnished the credibility of the country’s security arms,” he stated.
He also said that there is a need for the media to make a distinction between political and security institutions. Zvinavashe cited examples of what he claimed were false reports, including the alleged looting of resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo by the Zimbabwean government and top military officers, including himself, allegations of political victimisation of prison officers who support the opposition, and the story on the assassination attempt of “The Daily News”‘s editor-in-chief by intelligence officer Bernard Masala.
“Whilst it is known that media houses are in business, they must not generate profits out of false reports that discredit security organisations, which are sensitive by nature and have rights like any other institutions,” said Zvinavashe. “In these cited stories, no iota of evidence was provided. We are therefore advising all citizens of Zimbabwe that the full force of the law will meet any reports and actions designed to create instability in Zimbabwe. This will include enforcement, where it is deemed necessary. Individuals will be answerable for their actions,” he warned.
“The law will take its place to ensure that Zimbabwe’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty – which to [a] large extent depend on upholding the values and good name of the security organisations – are preserved,” warned Zvinavashe. He added that there was therefore a need to respect the security forces, which were constitutionally established to safeguard Zimbabwe’s hard-won independence. A failure to do so would result in instability, lawlessness and ultimately anarchy, he said.
At the same press conference, Zvinavashe announced that the army would not support any president who does not suit their requirements. In apparent reference to the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, Morgan Tsvangirai, Zvinavashe said the army would not accept, support and salute any president who did not fight in the war of independence.
“We wish to make it very clear to all Zimbabwean citizens that the security organisations will only stand in support of those political leaders that will pursue 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 interests,” said Zvinavashe. “To this end, let it be known that the highest office in the [country] is a straight jacket, whose occupant must observe the objectives of the liberation struggle. We will therefore not accept, let alone support anyone, or salute anyone, with a different agenda that threatens the very existence of our sovereignty, our country and our people,” he added.
