The militarisation of public institutions refers to the increasing influence and control of military personnel and principles in civilian government sectors and public institutions. This process involves the appointment of military officials to positions traditionally held by civilians, the adoption of military methods and approaches in non-military public institutions and the prioritisation of military interests over civilian needs and democratic processes.
Militarisation of Public Institutions can be divided into 5 major subtopics:
Appointment of Military Personnel: Military officers are appointed to lead public institutions such as ministries, educational institutions, health departments and other civilian bodies.
Military Influence on Policies: The adoption of military-style approaches and methods in policy-making, law enforcement and public administration.
Erosion of Civil Liberties: An increase in military presence in public institutions leads to a restriction of civil liberties.
Prioritisation of Military Interests: Public resources and budgets are being skewed in favour of military needs over essential civilian services such as education, healthcare and social welfare.
Impact on Democracy: Militarisation undermines democratic institutions and processes.
In November 2017, Zimbabwe experienced a political transition that led to the resignation of long-time President Robert Mugabe who ruled since 1980, when the nation attained its independence. This transition was precipitated by a military intervention, often referred to as a coup, which saw the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) taking a decisive role in the political landscape. The military's involvement in Mugabe's dismissal was allegedly to remove "criminals" surrounding him and restore stability, which was in fact worsened. Following Mugabe's resignation, Emmerson Mnangagwa, previously sacked as vice president, was sworn in as the new president. After the coup, several military officials were appointed to key government positions. This included:
Perence Shiri, a former Air Force Chief, who served as the Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement from December 2017 until his death in July 2020.
Sibusiso Moyo, the Major General who announced the military's actions on television, was appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2017 to the year 2021 when he passed on.
These appointments indicated a consolidation of power by the military in the civilian government, blurring the lines between military and civilian roles in governance.
Militarisation of public institutions in Zimbabwe has recently been evident in the influence of the military on policy, particularly in the context of the 2023 general elections. One notable case is the enactment of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Amendment Bill, commonly known as the "Patriotic Bill." This law, signed in July 2023, significantly curtails freedoms of association and expression. It allows the National Prosecuting Authority to prosecute individuals for actions perceived as undermining the country or disseminating false information to foreign governments, as reported by Human Rights Watch.
In recent years, Zimbabwe has seen a significant shift in public resources and budgets being allocated disproportionately towards military needs over essential civilian services. An example of this trend can be seen in Zimbabwe's 2023 National Budget. The budget allocated a substantial portion of the national expenditure to defence and security services, while critical sectors such as health, education, and social welfare received comparatively minimal funding.
Defence and Security Allocation: The Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs received a significant increase in funding, with allocations reaching approximately ZWL 127 billion (about USD 350 million).
Health Sector Allocation: In contrast, the Ministry of Health and Child Care was allocated ZWL 105 billion (about USD 290 million), despite the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the general poor state of healthcare infrastructure.
Education Sector Allocation: The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education received ZWL 140 billion (about USD 385 million), which, while higher than health, is still inadequate given the needs of the sector, especially in rural areas where educational facilities are severely under-resourced.
Section 2(1) of the Zimbabwean Constitution states that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and any law, practice, custom, or conduct inconsistent with it is invalid. This underscores the necessity for all public institutions, including the military, to operate within constitutional bounds.
Section 3(2)(e) establishes the principle of separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. Militarisation undermines this principle by blurring the lines between civilian and military roles, leading to an imbalance of power.
Section 208(2) mandates that members of the security services must act in accordance with the Constitution and the law, and must not act in a partisan manner, further any political cause, or violate the fundamental rights or freedoms of any person.
To address this issue, UZA, through our Manifesto, proposes the following solutions:
Strengthen Civilian Oversight: Reinforce the constitutional mechanisms for civilian oversight of the military to ensure accountability.
Promote Political Neutrality: Enforce stringent measures to ensure that military personnel adhere to the constitutional mandate of political neutrality.
Enhance Judicial Independence: Safeguard the judiciary from military influence to ensure fair and impartial justice.
Economic Reforms: Remove military personnel from key economic positions and state-owned enterprises to promote transparency and efficiency.
By implementing these measures, UZA aims to build a democratic, transparent, and accountable governance structure that truly serves the people of Zimbabwe.
Let’s Unite, As We Build Zimbabwe!
