Zimbabwe has bought new military equipment including trucks and armoured vehicles 2312132

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Defence & Security News - Zimbabwe
 
 
Monday, December 23, 2013 09:55 AM
 
Zimbabwe has bought new military equipment including trucks and armoured vehicles.

The government of Zimbabwe has bought new military equipment, raising fears of a looming clampdown, according to the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper. This latest equipment forms part of an assortment of military trucks, armoured vehicles and anti-riot gear, purchased over the past 18 months.
     
The government of Zimbabwe has bought new military equipment, raising fears of a looming clampdown, according to the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper. This latest equipment forms part of an assortment of military trucks, armoured vehicles and anti-riot gear, purchased over the past 18 months.
The total active manpower of the Zimbabwe Army is around 35,000 personnel, including the Para-military forces with the Police Support Unit, People’s Militia and Police Force.
     

Sources in the security sector told the Zimbabwe Independent this week government has of late been buying equipment for the security sector, which now plays a critical role in propping up President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF in power, which includes anti-riot gear and equipment, trucks and armored vehicles.

The multi-million dollar consignment arrived in Harare Monday evening through the Masvingo Road under a heavy police escort with lights and sirens blazing, heading in the direction of 2.2 Infantry Battalion in Mudzi, the Independent said.

Last year a similar purchase of armoured vehicles, combat vehicles, military radios and teargas raised concerns within opposition circles that ZANU PF was using public resources to fund its war chest instead of improving social welfare.

Zimbabwe Defence Forces spokesperson Colonel Overson Mugwisi declined to comment, saying he was on leave while his Zimbabwe National Army counterpart Colonel Alphios Makotore referred questions to the police.