President Mnangagwa salutes Defense forces

Harare (New Ziana)-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday applauded the Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF) for ensuring that the country enjoys peace.
Addressing the 41st anniversary of the establishment of ZDF, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe continues to enjoy peace as a result of the dedicated service of the armed forces.
“Our nation enjoys peace. For this, we are blessed and indeed grateful to our ZDF. On my behalf and that of my family, and indeed on behalf of government and people of our great country, I extend my warm congratulations to the ZDF for attaining 41 years of existence.
“I further commend you in your various individual capacities and rank and as our national strategic institution for the unfettered contribution to on-going processes of nation building,” he said.’

He said the ZDF plays an integral part in the implementation of various government programmes.

“Going forward, we must therefore consolidate the prevailing peace, harmony and leverage on the peace dividend when we pull together as principled compatriots,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said the modernisation of the national defense system and the armed forces was being accelerated.
“As Commander in Chief of ZDF, I recognize that a well- equipped , efficient, versatile, tactically agile and professional Defense force is an embryo for peace, harmony and development,” he said.
He added : “My government will thus continue to equip the Defense forces with reliable means and technological capacities towards defending our dignity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Government, said President Mnangagwa, remains committed to improving the working conditions of defence forces.

“Meanwhile, I challenge the ZDF administration to accelerate completion of accomodation projects underway at Imbizo, Dzivarasekwa and Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo Baracks,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said it was unfortunate that this year’s ZDF commemorations come after some decorated military cadres succumbed to Covid-19 complications.

These include the late serving Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army Lt. Gen Edzayi Chimonyo, Lt . General (rtd) and Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo, former Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Paradzai Zimhondi, Ambassador Douglas Nyikayaramba and Major General Clever Chiramba.

“You the ZDF have joined the fight against the pandemic through enforcement of the lockdowns, secondment of health personnel to assist in the management of confirmed cases as well as the national vaccination programme,” said President Mnangagwa.

Commenting on the deployment of ZDF to fight the insurgency in Mozambique, President Mnangagwa said ; “my government is making due considerations for the deployment of 304 defense instructors.”

New Ziana