It would appear, from all that is being said and done and written, that a power sharing deal is on the table that may just be the answer to shifting the balance of power. Although there is still some worrisome posturing from ZANU-pf circles, I think that once a deal comes into being, those members of the armed forces who have been threatened and cajoled into doing the party's bidding, may well feel that they are now free to act within the law.
For the Zimbabwe Republic Police, this will be a very intense and interesting time and will require very careful and measured actions to rid the force of the ZANU-pf faithful and the corrupt, who are now starting to realise that the game is very close to being up.
It is interesting to note that Chihuri is very keen to be nice to Mbeki, in the hope that he will look kindly on his request for immunity and, probably asylum. I hope though, that when Chihuri runs for the hills, he will take Godwin Matanga and the other Deputy Commissioners with him. This will then clear the decks for a proper police hierarchy to be put in place and begin the huge process of bring the Zimbabwe Republic Police back to the high standard that it inherited.
I was considering my position on all this and, given the legalities of the situation, I have to confess that I would see no actual reason to salute Mugabe or any of his party appointed members of the ZRP - they carry no legal mandate from the people of Zimbabwe and, therefore, there is no requirement to either salute them or follow orders from. A police officer in Zimbabwe is only duty bound to follow "lawful orders" - which would leave anything the party faithful want in dubious territory, whilst conversely, officers should be sitting up and taking note that the real legal head of state in Morgan Tsvangirai and not following lawful orders from him could be tantamount to dereliction of duty!
I sometimes wonder if we are not victims of Confucius' famous lines "may you live in interesting times!"
We shall watch and see the developments over the immediate future with a mixture of hope and trepidation and hopefully the time is at hand for a new dawn in Zimbabwe.
Later.
The Badge of the Z.R.Police
Pro Lege - Pro Patria - Pro Populo
Hits
About Me
SEO
2 comments:
then dont salute them, is anyone forcing you? if you dont like it then quit
I have to say that I am somewhat underwhlemed by this comment!
Clearly penned by a ZANU-pf follower, completely ignorant of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the law, Standing Orders, The Police Act or the concept of discipline!
In reply (not that it is so deerving), I would point out that I am a police officer dedicated to the law and people of Zimbabwe. As such an officer, I recognise the requirement for discipline and that salutinmg senior officers and dignitaries is a core concept of that.
So, in a short answer (one that the commentator may understand, yes, I am forced to salute. By the law. And no, I would not quit at such a time - in point of fact, it is the illegal regime that needs to quit. Additionally it is those officers who are dedicated to serving Mugabe and the party blindly who need to quit. Immediately, before they are forced into cells.
I wonder if this commentator id related to the (not so) Bright Matonga - he clearly exhibits the same ignorance!
Post a Comment