UK's military plot exposed Political Editor Zimbabwe Sunday Mail http://www.sundaymail.co.zw 22 December 2002
BRITAIN is recruiting Zimbabweans into its army, a move seen by the Zimbabwe Government as part of a plan to oust President Mugabe from power violently. Security sources say the locals could be used in a military offensive against Zimbabwe should Britain execute its plan to topple the Government. The recruitment also includes some Zimbabwean soldiers. In a letter dated December 2 2002 to a top Zimbabwean official who had been put as a referee by one Ashley Chibaya in his application to join the British army, Mrs L. Bradbury from the Commander Recruiting Group wrote: "Ashley Chibaya has applied for a Commission in the British Army and has given us your name as a referee. "At this stage of Ashley's application, the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) needs to establish his identity and be assured as to his background, character and integrity. "Whereas we are able to establish identity by other means, it would be very much appreciated if you would kindly provide a reference in respect of the latter aspects. "Your reference need not be extensive, but should include a note as to how long you have known him and in what capacity," reads the letter by Mrs Bradbury. Since the victory by President Mugabe in the March presidential poll in which he defeated the MDC leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, by over 400 000 votes, Britain has been working with the MDC, some non-governmental organisations and the private media in destabilising the country. Commenting on the letter by Mrs Bradbury, the Minister of State for Information and Publicity, Professor Jonathan Moyo, said the Government is aware that Britain is recruiting Zimbabweans into its army. "We are aware of this case and many others. The recruitment of our nationals by the British just shows how desperate they are," said the minister. He said there were some sinister motives and intentions behind the recruitment of the Zimbabwean nationals. "The matter is receiving attention by relevant Government authorities and organs to ensure that our national interest is not compromised and that our constitutional democracy is preserved. "Zimbabweans who join a foreign army, particularly a hostile one as is the case here, necessarily put at grave risk their Zimbabwean citizenship," he said. There is need, said Professor Moyo, to examine Zimbabwean laws to find ways of protecting the country's national interests. "There is no reason why a Zimbabwean should fight for a foreign country and still remain a Zimbabwean citizen. It is fundamentally anti-Zimbabwe to do that," said Prof Moyo. One observer said those joining the British army might even be inviting "unnecessary" trouble for their families who remain behind. Britain was also accused of offering military training to some MDC youths around some commercial farms in Zimbabwe before the presidential ballot. It has also been recruiting pharmacists and nurses from Zimbabwe. The former colonial master has also been recruiting many skilled people who end up working as maids and gardeners. Some of them are now returning home owing to deplorable living conditions.
