TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY FORCES
(Police, intelligence services, youth brigades, prison warders and army personnel)
We the PEOPLE of Zimbabwe, both inside and outside the country call on YOU as our defenders and protectors to exercise your power and role in Zimbabwe, in the interest of your mothers, fathers, siblings and children.
We are days away from another election. The hope and expectation of every Zimbabwean is that this election will herald the beginning of a life of dignity and quality. The political elite is hopeful that YOU will protect their positions and maintain the status quo. The people of Zimbabwe are hopeful that YOU will support their yearning for change.
You have heard your commanders declare that they would not support and salute anyone other than the current president. But it is this President and his elite that have made the lives of you, your family and all of us, a daily misery. The security establishment holds the key to what a post election Zimbabwe will look like, and whether reconstruction and development will take hold. You are recognized as a key force in Zimbabwe that holds the balance of power. It is YOU that can ensure an environment that is conducive for the reconstruction of Zimbabwe.
You hold an extreme amount of power. Power that can be abused and manipulated, as has been done in the past, to hurt, intimidate and further subjugate the ordinary people of our country. As sons and daughters of Zimbabwe, who hold a position of strength and power, we call on you:
ACT RESPONSIBILY and HONOURABLY
DEFEND YOUR PEOPLE, NOT THE POLITICAL ELITE,
YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THE SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE.
It is not too late to refuse to be used as pawns by those who hold no allegiance to you and your families and whose only interest is in their own personal greed and ambition.
Show your support and allegiance to the people of Zimbabwe.
ACCEPT the will of the people as manifested through the electoral process, irrespective of the outcome.
REFUSE to be party to any form of vote-rigging and underhand attempts at manipulating the results of the forthcoming election.
REFUSEING to intimidate, harass and carry out acts of violence. Go against the orders of your commanders. Lay down your arms and rally behind the people of Zimbabwe to foster reconstruction and development.
Your role as defenders and protectors in the post-election period is most critical, especially where and when the needs and demands of people are not met. PROTECT the people of Zimbabwe and not the narrow interests of the greedy political elite.
USE YOUR POWER WISELY, BE COUNTED AS THE TRUE DEFENDERS OF THE INTERESTS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF ZIMBABWE.
DR LOVEMORE MADHUKU
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