Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke-Herald Correspondent
THE Air Force of Zimbabwe is stepping up measures to prevent, identify and deter drug and substance abuse among its personnel, Air Marshal John Jacob Nzvede has said.
This comes after President Mnangagwa launched a national campaign against drug and substance abuse in September 2025, describing the scourge as one of the most urgent challenges facing the country.
Air Marshal Nzvede made the remarks yesterday during the 2026 Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe Shooting Competition held at Cleveland Rifle Range in Harare.
He said the Air Force was taking deliberate measures to tackle the scourge while working with other stakeholders under the Government’s multi-sectoral approach to combating drug and substance abuse.
“The handling and effective use of weapons require discipline. One of the emerging threats to this discipline is the abuse of drugs and other illicit substances,” he said.
“The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces has made it clear that discipline and integrity are non-negotiable within the Security Services.
“As such, the Air Force of Zimbabwe has taken deliberate measures to prevent, identify and deter the scourge of drug and substance abuse within the organisation.”
The 2026 competition was held under the theme: “Enhancing Skills at Arms for the Defence of Our National Sovereignty in Pursuit of Vision 2030.”
Air Marshal Nzvede said the theme reflected the responsibility of the Air Force and the broader security services to protect the country’s interests and achievements.
“Equally, the Air Force of Zimbabwe and all of us here have a role to play in fighting this threat through the multi-sectoral approach spearheaded by the Government,” he added.
Air Marshal Nzvede said maintaining discipline was particularly critical within the security services, given the responsibility of personnel to handle firearms and respond to threats to national security.
He said the annual shooting competition provided an opportunity for personnel to sharpen their marksmanship skills while reinforcing discipline and professionalism.
“The rifle is the basic weapon used in the first line of defence of our nation.
“As such, this annual competition is aimed at enhancing this critical skill within the Security Services,” he said.
“In many ways, this is a retraining programme structured as a competition to encourage participants to strive for excellence.”
Flight Sergeant Knowledge Hodzi was crowned the overall best shooter at the competition.
Flight Sergeant Hodzi attributed his success to the training and support he received from the Air Force of Zimbabwe, saying the institution had played a significant role in sharpening his shooting skills.
“I am very happy to have been crowned the overall best shooter. This achievement means a great deal to me because it demonstrates that the training we receive in the Air Force of Zimbabwe is producing results,” he said.
“I owe this success to the Air Force of Zimbabwe because it has given me the opportunity, training and support to develop my shooting skills.”
Flight Sergeant Hodzi said the competition had also challenged participants to remain focused and disciplined throughout the various stages of the contest.
The competition also featured a Fun Shoot, which gave corporate partners and members of the media an opportunity to experience shooting firsthand.
