Govt responds to Fikile Mbalula's statement that Zimbabwe's ex-soldiers are responsible for crimes in SA

In a statement to the ZBC News today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to South Africa’s Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula’s remarks that former Zimbabwean soldiers are responsible for crimes in the neighbouring country. Simbarashe Mumbengegwi’s ministry also corrected Mbalula’s statement that once you are a soldier in Zimbabwe you are a soldier for life.

The statement reads:

We also wish to clarify that the Defence Act and the Constitution provides for the voluntary enlistment into the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and also sets out clear conditions of service and honourable termination including retirement. The Honourable Minister’s allegation that when one has joined the ZDF, it is impossible to orderly terminate such engagement is not borne by facts and in this regard, such allegations are malicious and mischievous to say the least. The government of Zimbabwe is therefore deeply concerned that such highly incendiary and careless outbursts come from a Minister who superintends law enforcement. We are concerned that the statement could easily be misinterpreted and trigger xenophobic sentiments.

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