Speaking at a Zimbabwe Republic Police pass-out parade of 451 police officers on Thursday, Defence Minister, Sydney Sekeramayi, said the government would not condone acts of terrorism being perpetrated by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.
"This pass-out parade comes at a time when enemies of the state, through their proxies in the Movement for Democratic Change, are perpetrating violence to destabilize the nation in order to gain political mileage in the eyes of their foreign sponsors," he said.
"May I point out that such myopic political tactics by those who claim to be champions of democracy borders on treason and treachery of the highest order and a misguided notion that power can be achieved through subverting the constitution.
"This can never be tolerated by the people of Zimbabwe and the government."
Sekeramayi said that the government was perturbed by the upsurge in acts of terrorism being perpetuated by the MDC through the so-called Democratic Resistance Committee, which has resulted in petrol bombings targeting state institutions, public transport, supermarkets and police officers. He said that terrorism, which was meant to steer animosity towards the government and disturb peace in the country, should be condemned.
"Let me unequivocally state that terrorism in whatever form, whether its in Europe, United States or Zimbabwe, remains terrorism and must be condemned by all progressive forces around the world," he said.
He said the police were making thorough investigations to resolutely deal with those behind the terrorist attacks.
Sekeramayi said the Ministry of Defence was always ready to render assistance to the police force if called upon to do so.
Turning to the economy, Sekeramayi called for the arrest and prosecution of corrupt elements without fear or favour, saying the scourge was hampering efforts to turnaround the economy.
The minister said the fight against corruption could only succeed through the adoption of a holistic approach that would see everyone playing a part in curbing the vice.
He said the continued plundering of the country's mineral resources did not complement efforts being made to revitalize the economy but also affected the environment.
The country, he said, was endowed with vast mineral resources, including diamonds, that could be used to generate foreign currency for inputs for various sectors of the economy.
Sekeramayi commended efforts by the police force to clean up illegal mining operators under "Operation Chikorokoza Chapera" and urged them not to be dissuaded by dissenting voices from whatever quarter. ' New Ziana.
