Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander Vincent Nundwe has asked Secretary to the President and Cabinet Zangazanga Chikhosi to stop interfering with MDF operations.
General Nundwe was speaking on Saturday at Malawi Armed Forces College (Mafco) in Salima district during the pass-out parade on officer cadets and army recruits.
He noted that some top government officials including those from OPC are forcing the commander to promote some of the MDF soldiers to high ranks.
“Some of us (soldiers) lobby for promotion from politicians. We must stop. For you politicians don’t entertain these people.
We do not do politics. We had cases where OPC would write MDF to promote some people. We must not be divided. And this must stop” said Nundwe.
He also expressed concern with social media posts that have been speculating that soldiers are planning a strike calling such speculations as “foolish”.
Nundwe, who sounded angry, said it is sad that some people have gone to the extreme to speculate that soldiers are planning to take over government.
The pass out parade was attended by the Commander in Chief of the Malawi Defence Force President Lazarus Chakwera.
OPC and Chikhosi will stop poking their fingers in military issues if the military itself checks its behaviour and adheres to their constituted responsibilities. Others will as well observe their boundaries if the rest of the government departments follow suit. Surprisingly, the speaker at this honourable gathering advised the newly commissioned officers and recruits to be apolitical and yet he was doing exactly the same unholy duty. This is a very despicable role- modelling by a most senior officer in the military. Having said what was said, what sort of military personnel are we grooming? Once upon a time, there were some professions children dreamt of being part of, the military used to be one of them. Today others have tarnished that image and reputation because of licking politician’s asses. They forget that politics spans 5 to 10 years whilst the military profession is a lifetime undertaking; you gang-up with them, they will depart on the scene after their short term tenure leaving you with eggs on your face. Those who said military personnel should not indulge themselves in politics knew what was at stake. As rightly put it in certain circles, if an individual is attracted by politics the best one can do is retire and concentrate on what your heart desires other than having both feet in the two camps. Komalizira umadzagwa chagada mopangitsa manyazi.