Gweru (New Ziana) -The resounding victory by the ruling ZANU PF party in the recent harmonised elections is a strong message to former colonisers that they cannot take back the country from its rightful owners, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.
He said this during a pass out parade for the Regular Officer Cadet Course at the Zimbabwe Military Academy on Wednesday.
President Mnangagwa said the pass out parade was taking place against the backdrop of the successful defence of the country’s independence, sovereignty and freedom in the recently held elections.
He said the elections saw the people freely and peacefully exercising their democratic right to vote.
“In doing so, we collectively warded-off the onslaught from detractors expressed through their foreign funded opposition parties,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the visits by the cadets to liberation war shrines at Chimoio in Mozambique and Freedom Camp in Zambia were aimed at consolidating their knowledge of the sacrifices that many sons and daughters of the soil made towards attainment of independence, freedom and democracy that is being enjoyed in the country.
He said the newly commissioned officers have a responsibility to protect the country, its people, national interests, territorial integrity and to uphold the constitution.
“As you graduate today at this Academy; you are joining a unique and rare breed of military officers who have chosen to sacrifice their lives to serve their beloved nation.
“You now belong to a revered and strategic national organisation that has the signature of professionalism within the region and beyond,” he said.
President Mnangagwa urged the graduates to exhibit high levels of professionalism, discipline, diligence and defence capabilities which have become synonymous with the country’s military.
“The ZDF is a people’s force, dependable, agile, and hard-hitting capable of containing any threat and defending the nation.”
The officer cadets went through a demanding 21 months of training divided into three phases designed to mould them into competent and professional officers.
The course commenced in January 2022 with an initial enrolment of 240 candidates, comprising of 177 males and 63 females.
At the pass out, President Mnangagwa commissioned 136 officer cadets who were on the parade as 17 are attending specialisation courses in Russia and Mozambique.
Four candidates died during training.
New Ziana
