Battlefields (The Times-New Ziana) –Members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) should be disciplined and not engage in criminal activities, a senior official has said.

ZNA chief of staff quarter master staff Major General Hlanganani Dube said this during a prize giving ceremony for the 7th Inter-formation and Unit Drill competition at HQ 5 Infantry Brigade on Friday.

This is year’s drill competition was held under the theme: “Inculcating discipline through drill.”

“I strongly feel obliged to express the command element’s concern over repeated acts of indiscipline by some of our members,” he said.

“We continue to experience an increase in members involved in crimes committed both within and outside the organization. Such acts of indiscipline must end immediately.”

Maj Gen Dube said the current economic environment characterised by scarce resources required commanders at all levels to be very innovative, apply a lot of initiatives to accomplish given tasks within the confines of the law.

“Let us all remain focused, as this is a passing phase. As an organization, we remain confident that the socio-economic environment will continue to improve in response to several initiatives that are undertaken by government.”

He said discipline was the hallmark of any professional army.

Maj. Gen. Dube said discipline was a basic feature of the army’s culture which has molded the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to be one of the highly professional armies within the region.

“As such, we will never compromise on our high standards of discipline. Severe punishments will be applied for any deviation from our set standards.”

Maj Gen Dube quoted the late former United States President George Bush, who asserted that, “Discipline is the soul of an army, a military without discipline is not a force but a mere group of people with weapons.”

He said the ZNA would always strive for the best maintain its reputation envied by many in the region and beyond.

Meanwhile, Headquarters 4 Brigade of Masvingo were the overall winners of the Inter-formation and unit drill competition.

More than 1 400 participants from 36 platoons and companies drawn from eight formations – two districts and four regiments, competed in various drill aspects, such as foot and arms drill, pace sticks competition, bearing and turn-out of participating troops.

The Times/New Ziana