‘ZDF Gen Chiwenga Commander, deny’s any association with VP Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF Team Lacoste faction’

THE Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantino Chiwenga yesterday distanced himself from Team Lacoste – a faction aligned to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa who is reportedly positioning himself to succeed aging President Robert Mugabe.

Asked on media claims that he was supporting a faction led by Mnangagwa, Chiwenga said, “That is nonsense. Do you believe in that? People who peddle such kind of nonsense are not worth their soul.”

Ironically, Chiwenga who is rumoured to be part of a clique of war veterans ‘sick and tired’ of Mugabe’s rule professed his undying support for the nonagenarian saying the Zimbabwe Defence Forces will never accept any unconstitutional change of government and will stand firm and unequivocal by Mugabe.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday ahead of the 36th anniversary of the ZDF Day Commemorations to be held today, General Chiwenga said the ZDF has been watching events in the country which have a serious potential to disturb peace.”These have to stop and people must focus on developmental programmes. The history of this country cannot, and will never be rewritten. It was only done once by colonialists in the Berlin Treaty, who by act of conquest, declared that they had brought civilisation and religion into Africa including Zimbabwe, as though we did not have our own religions and civilisation.”

“…Therefore, the ZDF will never accept any unconstitutional change of Government and we stand firm and unequivocal by the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and commander-in-chief of the ZDF, his Excellency Mugabe,” he is quoted as saying by the Herald.

“It follows that the ZDF, while remaining apolitical, would not tolerate or support any unconstitutional change of Government in the country, whether internally or externally induced,” Chiwenga added.

But the ZDF have been accused of being partisan by openly supporting Zanu PF.

Chiwenga who in the past has threatened to deal with ‘elements burnt on destabilising the country said the ZDF “will take deliberate steps to ensure that the country’s Constitution in its entirety, is not only protected and defended but is also upheld, sustained and supported at all times.” Source-zimnet