The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) has announced that it is investigating allegations of corruption involving three senior military commanders. This comes after an exclusive report by The NewsHawks over the weekend. In a press release seen by Pindula News, the ZDF expressed its commitment to the rule of law, discipline, presumption of innocence, and its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.
The ZDF stated that the matter is currently under investigation and undergoing due legal process, making it “sub judice.” They also expressed concern about media outlets, including The NewsHawks, “spreading falsehoods” about the organisation and individuals involved in the alleged corruption. The ZDF assured the public that any developments and outcomes related to the investigation would be communicated in due course. Read the statement:
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<h3>PRESS RELEASE ON ALLEGED CORRUPTION BY THREE GENERAL OFFICERS</h3>
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces wishes to reaffirm and reassure the public of its commitment to the rule of law, discipline, presumption of innocence and zero tolerance to corruption of whatever form and whatever level.
The matter flagged by the Newshawks and other media outlets relating to alleged corruption by three General Officers is under investigation, sub judice, and therefore still undergoing due legal process.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces however notes with great concern attempts by NewsHawks and other media outlets to peddle falsehoods about the Organization and individuals taking advantage of the alleged corruption matter currently under investigation.
The public will be apprised on any developments and outcomes in due course.
<img alt="ZDF" class="alignnone wp-image-271188" decoding="async" height="736" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px" src="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/zdf-investi-212x300.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/zdf-investi-212x300.jpg 212w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/zdf-investi-724x1024.jpg 724w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/zdf-investi-768x1087.jpg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/zdf-investi.jpg 1080w" width="520"/>
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According to The NewsHawks, three army generals were removed from their positions and would be dismissed from the military by the end of March due to their involvement in a corruption housing scandal. Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe, the Zimbabwe National Army commander, was reportedly cracking down on corruption and took action against the commanders involved. The three commanders were identified as Major-General Hlanganani Dube, Major-General Paul Chima, and Major-General John Mupande.
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Zimbabwe Defence Forces Says It's Investigating Alleged Corruption By Senior Commanders

Dr <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Walter_Mzembi/">Walter Mzembi</a>, former Tourism Minister of Zimbabwe, has expressed concerns about <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/10/28/army-commander-named-zanu-pf-politburo-ex-officio-member/">the appointment</a> of General <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Philip_Valerio_Sibanda/">Philip Valerio Sibanda</a>, the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), as an Ex-officio Politburo member within the ruling party, ZANU PF. The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zanu-PF_Politiburo/">Politburo</a> is the ZANU’s highest decision-making body. President Emmerson Mnangagwa made the announcement during the ZANU PF 20th National People’s Conference in Gweru. 
“Ex officio” means that someone holds a position automatically or because of their other responsibilities. It grants them certain rights and powers without being appointed or elected specifically for those duties. However, this appointment of Valerio Sibanda, the Commander of Zimbabwe’s Defence Forces, as an ex officio member of the ruling party’s Politburo, is likely illegal and goes against the country’s constitution. The constitution prohibits members of the security services from being active in any political party. This situation reflects the issue of party-state conflation, which hampers the process of democratization in Zimbabwe, as highlighted by political commentators. Mzembi said:
<blockquote>
The implications are that much of Cabinet Policies are generated or given direction from the Politburo of Zanu PF as a Ruling Party, and inviting the interest of Securocrats at this policy formulation or generation stage simply reflects an extension of November 2017 power-sharing understanding of Zanu PF and the Military. It is also a consolidation and reset to Liberation War High Command political architecture that steered the liberation struggle. 
The unspoken is the subordination of the Military Factor under Zanu PF, which would be problematic in the future if there is a new generation non military leader. It appears a natural now because in the hierarchy of Zanu PF itself is a former CDF to whom General Sibanda reported but Mnangagwa himself, a Chairman of the Joint Operation Command under Mugabe, former Defense Minister but right from Independence Minister of State Security. 
The precedent though has been of former CDFs joining the Politburo after retirement, as was the case with Generals Mujuru and Zvinavashe which was a cleaner arrangement constitutionally. Sitting inside a Politburo where the fate of Opposition Parties is plotted and decided creates conflict for a CDF no matter how professional he may want to be seen. It’s untidy. It is these boundaries lately that relate to our State design that are being crossed with reckless abandon and disdain, and it should worry any right-thinking Zimbabwean. 
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Mzembi mentioned that for a professional soldier, especially the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), the appointment is a difficult and challenging role. General Sibanda is well-regarded by the public, and Mzembi hopes that he will consider declining the appointment and handle it wisely. Mzembi suggests that if General Sibanda accepts the role, he should be involved in all political party hierarchies to ensure fairness. However, it is important to note that the Constitution explicitly states that the CDF cannot be partisan.
Brighton Mutebuka, a Zimbabwean lawyer based in the UK, stated that the appointment of General Philip Valerio Sibanda as an Ex-officio Politburo member is unconstitutional. Mutebuka mentioned that General Sibanda had the option to decline the appointment but chose not to. He said:
<blockquote>
This is a straightforward situation. The appointment is unconstitutional. He could have declined it but failed to do so. Many said he was ZAPU &amp; principled but they overlooked that he wasn’t beyond prioritising personal ambition &amp; survival. 
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Mutebuka argued that attempts to convince Sibanda to do the right thing based on his conscience or moral values is pointless and will not succeed. He believes that the situation is becoming more intense. Mutebuka says Zimbabweans should brace themselves for the challenges ahead.
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General Valerio Sibanda's Appointment Should Worry Any Right-Thinking Zimbabwean - Mzembi

A senior official in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), Brigadier General Charles Kaneta died on Saturday 10 September 2022 aged 64.
<a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/brig-gen-kaneta-dies">The Sunday Mail</a> reports that he collapsed and died while at his farm in Nyanga.
Brig Gen Kaneta was the Director General of Logistics at the ZDF Headquarters.
In a statement last night, Brigadier General Augustine Chipwere, the Director General Policy, Public Relations and International Affairs at Zimbabwe Defence Forces Headquarters, said: 
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces would like to announce the untimely death of Brigadier General Charles Kaneta who was the Director General Logistics at the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Headquarters.
General Kaneta, 64, collapsed at his farm in Nyanga and was ferried to Hauna District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival at around 12 noon on 10 September 2022.
</blockquote>
Mourners are gathered at Number 7 Married Quarters Cranborne West, Harare.
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Senior Zimbabwe Defence Forces Official Collapses And Dies

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has both denied claims by the MDC Alliance that they have seized control of MDC’s Harvest House headquarters.
This was after MDC-Alliance’s national spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere had claimed that “armed soldiers and police officers assisted 20 youths to forcibly gain entry into the building.”
Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) spokesperson Colonel Overson Mugwisi, however, could not confirm the development. He said:
<blockquote>I cannot confirm or deny that the army has occupied the Harvest House. I am not on duty myself I am off duty. You can confirm with those on duty or confirm with the police. Why do you believe what they (MDC Alliance) say?</blockquote>
ZRP spokesperson Paul Nyathi told NewZimbabwe that he was “not aware of any occupation of the army and police” adding that the publication should confirm with the army’s public relations offices.
Meanwhile, reinstated MDC-T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora on Thursday confirmed he was assisted by the police and army to gain control of MRT House.
He added that the security forces were, however, in town to enforce lockdown regulations and not at the MDC-T’s invitation.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/police-army-deny-harvest-house-siege/">New Zimbabwe</a>

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