By Political Reporter-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has handed over 54 brand-new Ford Ranger vehicles to the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and commissioned 220 housing units under the Dzivaresekwa and Imbizo Barracks Institutional Accommodation Project.
He further pledged to construct 8,430 more housing units as part of the same initiative.
These actions are part of Mnangagwa’s broader strategy of using military patronage to secure political dominance.
By rewarding the army with material perks, he solidifies its loyalty to his administration, ensuring its continued role as a key enforcer of Zanu PF’s rule.
The strategy extends beyond the barracks.
In rural areas, soldiers have played a pivotal role in maintaining Zanu PF’s grip on power.
The military often acts as an enforcement tool, intimidating opposition supporters and coercing communities into backing the ruling party.
Reports of soldiers influencing voting outcomes underscore the deepening militarization of Zimbabwe’s electoral process.
The military’s involvement in political repression was starkly demonstrated during the 1 August 2018 shootings, where six unarmed civilians were killed during post-election protests.
This tragic incident highlighted the military’s controversial role in protecting Zanu PF’s interests while suppressing dissent.
Critics argue that Mnangagwa’s administration has taken militarization to unprecedented levels, making the army an indispensable ally in rural control and election management.
While these efforts are presented as developmental, they deepen Zimbabwe’s authoritarian landscape, blurring the lines between the state and the military and further eroding democratic governance.
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