By Staff Writer
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has revoked General Phillip Valerio Sibanda’s appointment to the ruling ZANU-PF party’s Politburo after weeks of mounting pressures over illegal gesture.
The Politburo is the standing micro-body of the Central Committee vested with powers to implement decisions, directives, rules and regulations.
The unprecedented move, described by political commentators as unconstitutional, is the first such appointment of a serving military general to Zanu PF structures.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe 2013 prohibits serving members of the security sector from involvement in partisan politics.
Section 208(3) of the Constitution states that “members of the security services must not be members of any political party or organisation.”
Section 208(4) of the Constitution further states that “members of the security services must not engage in any partisan political activity.”
Under the constitutional provisions, military personnel must act in accordance with the Constitution and the law and neither the security services nor any of their members may, in the exercise of their functions; act in a partisan manner; further the interests of any political party or cause; prejudice the lawful interests of any political party or cause; or violate the fundamental rights or freedoms of any person.
The Zimbabwe Defence Act (Chapter 11.2) also prohibits members of the military from any involvement in party politics.
In bold climb down move, deputy chief secretary, Presidential Communications, George Charamba announced the decision to revoke the appointment.
“His Excellency the President, Dr E.D Mnangagwa, has announced the staying of General PV Sibanda’s appointment to the ruling Zanu PF Party Politburo as an ex-officio member. The position will be reviewed at the expiry of General Sibanda’s term as a senior serving officer at the helm of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, ZDF.
“This deferment of the appointment resolves the apparent conflict with the country’s Constitution which regulates the conduct of serving members of the Security Services,” he said in a statement .
