Security forces in meltdown

Police, army and prison services hit by mass resignations

A secret internal memorandum, sent from the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and addressed to the ministers of State Security, Defence, Home Affairs and Justice, and shown to me this week, is warning that the normal trickle of resignations from the security forces has turned into a torrent.

The memo, tagged "urgent", reveals that more than 3,500 security personnel have resigned already this year, but thousands more are expected to go over the next two months, in protest over pay and conditions.

The memo also suggests that junior army officers are leaving because they are not happy with the way President Mugabe is "using them to cling on to power".  It goes on: "The junior officers are complaining that they continue to earn very little... Most have been heard complaining that they cannot afford to buy basics, yet their superiors drive expensive cars and enjoy various perks from the government."

A senior Harare police officer confirmed that similar problems were increasing in the police force. The officer, who works for the discharges section of the ZRP, said: "More than 1,000 non-commissioned officers will leave by December 31, most of them aged under 30."

He went on: "They have complaints about their accommodation, their pay, and even their uniforms, which come in such strange sizes that they make the officers a laughing stock. Basically they have lost patience with the government."

I tried to get an official comment from Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijene, but had no luck. "I do not know what you are talking about," he said - and switched off his mobile phone.

Currently Zimbabwe has about 40,000 soldiers, 30,000 police officers, 20,000 prison officers and 15,000 CIO officers. In a normal country, the continued loss of security personnel would be a cause for concern. Here, one more resignation means one less uniformed oppressor.

Keep those resignations coming, lads!

Comments

[Jamison Wiggins]

Great story. Thanks for tracking it down.

Oh, and there is always reason for hope

[RMacleod]

I suspect the main reason for resignations and desertion within the police and military is due to the possibility of having to face future criminal prosecution.

[Vigilante]

It has distressed me for some time, following Zimbabwe's clusterfook from afar. It also distresses me to repeat what I've said - not a few times - that what is needed is a single sniper's bullet between old man Mugabe's eyes. As long as this tyrant lives, millions starve. And those who don't starve, cross the border into South Africa and destabilize that economy. Robert M. will release his grip on power only when it is pried from his cold dead hands. Mugabe is the cork in the bottle which prevents the removal of the wine-gone-bad. Everyone knows this, no one wants to speak of it.