Government embarks on security sector reforms

BERNARD MPOFU

Government has begun restructuring the country’s security services following years of resistance by the previous administration, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube has said.

Finance minister Mthuli Ncube on Wednesday told multilateral and bilateral creditors during the sidelines of the ongoing World Bank/ International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Bali, Indonesia that government is committed to a raft of political and economic reforms as it re-engages the international community.

He said already political reforms such as introducing the Biometric Voter Registration, alignment of laws with provisions of the Constitution and political tolerance had improved following the ouster of long-time leader Robert Mugabe last November.

“Reform in security sectors are ongoing, particularly within the Zimbabwe Republic Police now focusing on policing than fund raising,” Ncube said.

Already a massive shakeup within the Zimbabwe Republic Police has claimed the scalps of several senior officers including commissioners, senior assistant commissioners and assistant commissioners.

In August Mnangagwa’s administration sacked senior intelligence officers linked to the old dispensation of former President Robert Mugabe as the new administration seeks to align the organisation into the current thinking. Among the senior intelligence officers fired were director Counter Intelligence, Musafare Nyamudahondo, Director Technical Affairs Charles Hwekwete and Director Economics Jimias Madzingira. Early this year a financial scandal running into millions erupted

within the ZRP prompting government to carry out nationwide audits into police affairs after it emerged that some senior commanders of the force had directed unsanctioned salary deductions, among other regularities. The unsanctioned fees and levies were a big strain on junior officers.

The IMF and the World Bank want Zimbabwe should adopt a raft of reforms before the country pays off its arrears to the Bretton Woods institutions.

Harare is seeking to clear the $1,2 billion arrears to the World Bank and $600 million to the African Development Bank in order to attract fresh funding.

Already government has cleared the $108 million IMF arrears using special drawing rights holdings and is now seeking up to $2 billion to stimulate economic activity.

Under the Lima arrears clearance plan adopted in Peru in 2015,Zimbabwe committed to a planned simultaneous repayment modalities to the IMF, World Bank and the African Development Bank.