ZDF Says Unaware Of Anonymous Protest Pamphlets

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) has said it is unaware of pamphlets allegedly found at several military barracks in Harare during the early hours of Tuesday. Images of the pamphlets were widely shared on social media.

ZDF public relations director Colonel Hlengiwe Dube told NewsDay on Wednesday that the military was not aware of the reports, and asked that further questions be submitted in writing.

The anonymous document, titled “Operation Code Named: People’s Army”, was reportedly distributed at several sites in Harare.

In the pamphlet, the authors, who claim to be members of the security services, accused senior political and military figures of neglecting the welfare of ordinary soldiers while enriching a wealthy elite they referred to as “Zvigananda”.

They said working conditions had deteriorated while a small group continued to live in luxury.

The writers called for improved salaries, housing, uniforms, transport buses and vehicles, rather than what they described as handouts.

They also accused military leadership of prioritising the protection of wealthy and politically connected individuals at the expense of rank-and-file soldiers.

“Why are serving members deployed to protect Zvigananda?” they asked. “You are busy dividing the army by paying some through unofficial channels.”

“You have destroyed our special forces and elements of the Presidential Guard, recruiting them into retirement to protect Zvigananda.”

The anonymous authors also alleged that soldiers, after years of hardship, should not be expected to see improvements in their welfare as personal favours from political or military leaders.

More: NewsDay