Retired Lieutenant General Winston Sigauke Mapuranga has issued a strongly worded response to outspoken politician Temba Mliswa, accusing him of overstepping his bounds and misrepresenting the role and conduct of the military.
In a detailed statement, Mapuranga said Mliswa’s remarks could not go unanswered, not because they were personally offensive, but because they reflected a “careless” approach to sensitive national issues. He warned that such carelessness, if left unchallenged, could become dangerous.
Mapuranga dismissed Mliswa’s assertions about the military, emphasising that the legislator does not speak for the armed forces.
“Mliswa, you are a vocal political figure; your proximity to power and interactions with soldiers do not qualify you to comment authoritatively on military protocol or the chain of command,” said Retired Lt Mapuranga.
The retired general underscored that his authority to speak on such matters stems from over three decades of service, adding that many of the officers being criticised earned their credentials during the liberation struggle.
He cautioned against what he described as “a politician’s attempt to lecture career soldiers on issues of discipline, command, and national security.”
Addressing the issue of the Reserve Force, Mapuranga rejected the notion that it could be used to intimidate retired officers into silence.
“A soldier’s oath is to Zimbabwe and its constitution, not to individuals or political factions.
Constitutional provisions guarantee freedom of expression and political participation for all citizens, including those associated with the defence establishment,” he stated.
Mapuranga criticised what he described as attempts to weaponise the possibility of recall into the Reserve Force, arguing that such threats undermine democratic principles. He warned that using military structures to silence dissenting voices risks pushing the country toward authoritarian tendencies.
He also took issue with Mliswa’s dismissal of retired generals’ achievements as “inconsequential accolades”, describing the statement as deeply disrespectful to individuals who had commanded troops, built institutions, and served the nation during critical periods.
“The real danger lies not in retired officers participating in public discourse, but in political actors seeking to suppress legitimate voices through intimidation.
Soldiers who speak from conscience contribute to national dialogue, while those who attempt to weaponise the military against citizens pose a threat to democratic values,” he concluded.
While reaffirming his respect for the Office of the President and its occupant, Mapuranga stressed that such respect does not require silence from citizens. He concluded that open engagement on national issues remains a constitutional right that must be protected.
