The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (Nango) says there is need for government to allow debate on the security sector and give Zimbabweans an opportunity to contribute to the discourse.
Speaking during the opening of the NGO Expo in Harare on Wednesday, Nango spokesperson Godwin Phiri said civil organisations were yearning for peace.
“The debate should not be politically polarised and every Zimbabwean should be given an opportunity and platform to contribute effectively,” Phiri said.
“We demand strong non-partisan State institutions which are run professionally.”
He said there was sufficient legislation to govern these institutions and called for full adherence to the legal provisions. He said the Organ of National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration had to be strengthened if there was to be “human-centred security as a nation to allow for peace to prevail”.
Security sector reform is one of the sticking points in the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA). While the MDC-T and MDC insist there is need to reform the sector whose top brass they accuse of Zanu PF bias, President Robert Mugabe is on record saying his generals were untouchable even under the GPA.
The generals have in the past said they would not salute a President without liberation war credentials.
