77 soldiers graduate

Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe National Army continues to conduct intensive military training despite the imposition of illegal economic sanctions on the country by the West, a senior army official has said.
The illegal sanctions have hampered efforts to secure arms and other military hardware for training.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of 77 non-commissioned officers at Parachute Regiment on Tuesday, Brigadier-General Ronnie Mutizhe said the army would not stop its training programmes despite facing challenges due to the illegal sanctions and budgetary constraints.

“We are all aware that the illegal economic sanctions imposed on our country by the West are still there. These have a direct impact on all Government departments and we in the military are no exception,” he said.

“The sanctions have affected the procurement of arms and other military training materials.”

Brig-General Mutizhe urged women soldiers to take up military courses to enhance gender parity in the army.

“As you saw, there were five female soldiers amongst the graduates. It might seem a small number but no one deterred them from doing these                                                                 courses.

“It was a volunteer course, which could be done by anyone and I just want to urge the female soldiers to be courageous and do military courses,” he said.

Brig-General Mutizhe  urged the graduates to remain loyal and vigilant to help defend the country’s sovereignty.

Sergeant Thabokuhle Ncube emerged the overall best student while Sergeant Everjoy Masomere was second with Corporal Peter Hlengani coming third.

The platoon sergeants tactics course, which commenced on February 17 this year, sought to train senior non-commissioned officers to be able to command, administer and train a platoon both in the field and in the barracks.

The graduates covered subjects such as field craft, weapons training, map reading, first aid, minor tactics, conventional warfare and civic military relations.

Sergeant Thabokuhle Ncube emerged the overall best student while Sergeant Everjoy Masomere was second with Corporal Peter Hlengani coming third.