Lower-ranking police officers and army troops in Zimbabwe say they are better off under the country's new inclusive government.But they quietly say they fear there is too much political involvement in the security services. Zimbabwe's army has about 30,000 soldiers who earn $100 a month.
It was reported that lower ranking soldiers carried out most of the beatings of Movement for Democratic Change supporters during last year's elections.
A private with four years service told VOA he beat MDC supporters because senior officers loyal to President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF, forced him to.
The soldier, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals, said he is relieved an inclusive government is now in place, because those pressures are now gone. He is critical of top officers in the Zimbabwe National Army, who he says are unprofessional because they openly support Zanu PF, the former ruling party.
Zimbabwe's top generals have refused to salute Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who won more votes in the March 2008 election than President Robert Mugabe.
VoA
