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Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
THE Air Force of Zimbabwe has stepped up efforts in the fight against drug, alcohol, and substance abuse in the society by introducing a course specifically to come up with ways to combat the rising menace, AFZ Chief of Staff Operations, Air Marshal Biltim Chingono, said on Friday.
Speaking at a pass out parade of 143 personnel drawn from all the base stations who graduated at Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo Airbase in Chegutu after undergoing the ceremonial drill instructors’ course, the squad drill instructors’ course, the weapon instructors’ course, and the basic anti-air artillery course, AVM Chingono said the AFZ was aware of rising scourge bedevilling societies.
“Drugs, alcohol and substance abuse continue to erode our social fabric and thus pose a threat to national security especially as it threatens the youth who are the future of the country. From realising this threat, the Air Force of Zimbabwe has appropriately added the subject of drugs, alcohol, and substance abuse to the training syllabus to ensure that the negative impacts of that menace are brought to the attention of all officers and non-commissioned members at the earliest opportunity,” he said.
He challenged the graduating courses to advocate for zero tolerance towards drugs, alcohol, and substance abuse.
Upon realising how dangerous drugs, alcohol and substance abuse was to the nation, President Mnangagwa appointed Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri as the national chairperson of the anti-drugs and substance abuse committee.
Air Vice Marshal Chingono said the courses that were being offered by AFZ would make sure that the nation was protected from its enemies. The country’s air defence system matched the current technological advances.
“The training of personnel in the air defence system is of paramount importance to the defence of any nation. In the same vein, the training of the anti-air artillery instructors is an indicator of the will to continue generating air defence personnel who are well trained.”
The Air Force of Zimbabwe was intent on ensuring that it provided opportunities equally regardless of gender as shown by the four courses that graduated yesterday.
The best student in the ceremonial drill instructors’ course, Flight Sergeant Jowa, said he would work to the best of his abilities to ensure that the nation is protected.
Warrant Officer Class Two, Melody Chinyati from Josiah Tongogara Airbase in Gweru said the two courses that she undertook prepared her to be a fully-fledged soldier.
“As a ceremonial and squad drill instructor, the course helped me not only to teach effectively back at my station but instil moral values in me. It is now my duty to ensure that what we learnt here is also cascaded back to the lower ranks. In that vein, I would also want to assure my superiors that we will help tackle the drug and substance abuse menace so that there is a future for Zimbabwe,” she said.
Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo Airbase public relations officer, Warrant Officer Class Two Gilbert Myambo, who also graduated on Friday, rallied his counterparts to be disciplined.
The event was attended by Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo Airbase Commander, Air Commodore Nicholas Nyathi, his deputy, Group Captain Blessing Chaza among other Air Force of Zimbabwe senior officers.
Online Reporter