/ 8 May 1999

ZIM BANS ARMY QUITTERS

THE Zimbabwean army has banned resignations because of the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Military spokesman Colonel Chancellor Diye told the Financial Gazette on Thursday that the entire army of some 30 000 troops is on standby for active service in the DRC and therefore soldiers are prohibited from quitting the force. The ban on resignations and retirements also applies to the some 5 000 air force personnel, he said. The Gazette quoted unnamed military sources as saying that a number of serving members of the ZDF had applied to quit, but that their requests had been rejected.