The much publicised security sector reforms, in which the MDC formations are calling for the removal of terror merchants from the security forces has been slammed by Zanu PF loyalists as an insult to people who they say put aside their personal aspirations to free Zimbabwe.

The chilling warning was made by the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), General Constantine Chiwenga on the sidelines of a pre-dawn battle at the All Arms Battle School where the exercise was carried as part of the graduation of 15 commanders of the ZNA. 

General Chiwenga said society should let the leaders of the army run their part of the relay.

General Chiwenga added that society should appreciate the security sector contributions to everyone sleeping in peace every day.

Zimbabwe's prime minister on Sunday accused the military of deploying to villages to attack civilians appearing to back the former longtime opposition leader who now shares power with the country's president of more than three decades.

"They should be at the epicenter of defending the people and not attacking and brutalizing them," Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said of the military in a nationwide message on the eve of a two-day public holiday marking the guerrilla war that led to independence in 1980.

Meanwhile, political parties in the inclusive government have called on people who will attend tomorrow’s Heroes Day commemorations to desist from wearing political party regalia and desist from slogannering as the event is not  for political parties but a national one.  

Addressing members of the media during a meeting held in Harare, representatives from all the three parties in the inclusive government were in agreement that national events must be treated as such hence the public must accord national events due respect.

Zanu PF representative in the organising committee, Claudius Mutero, Harare War Veterans Association Secretary for Information and Publicity, Hilary Maphosa and MDC -T representative, Mr Obert Gutu concurred that Heroes Day is a national event and as such it must be accorded due respect by all Zimbabweans across the political divide.

"We urge all MDC-T supporters not to wear party regalia and not to wave or chant party slogans as this is a national event. This is what we have agreed with other parties in the inclusive governmnet that no party regalia at the national shrine," said Mr Gutu.

"We urge people to come in their numbers for this important day to celebrate the sacrifices made by the fallen and living heroes in liberating this country," Mutero said.

However, the Welshman Ncube led MDC’s representative in the organising committee was absent from the meeting. 

Harare Provincial Administrator, Mr Alfred Tome called upon Harare residents to turn up in their numbers, saying 20 buses have been availed to ferry people to the national shrine. 

The buses will pick people from the usual pick up points on Monday, the Heroes Day and Tuesday when the nation will be celebrating the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day.

Besides the usual activities, 300 pupils drawn from primary and secondary schools in Harare will also be taking part in various activities at the National Heroes Acre.

Heroes Day is marked to honour and pay homage to fallen and living heroes and heroines who fought for the liberation of the country. 

In other centers across the country the day will be marked at provincial heroes acres where entertainment has been lined outside the official programmes.

By Staff reporter and agencies