Walter Nyamukondiwa in SANYATI
Vandalism will constrain Vision 2030 by undermining development projects, Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi has warned, urging traditional leaders and the military to unite and fight forces working against national progress.
Speaking at the Mashonaland West Traditional Leaders Day commemorations at Chief Neuso’s homestead in Sanyati last Friday, Lt-Gen Tapfumaneyi said vandalism was sabotaging Government efforts at development.
“The Government led by President Mnangagwa has been pushing development, including construction of the Sanyati Road, but unfortunately you find someone plucking out the reflectors aimed at improving safety, like what we saw on the Harare-Beitbridge highway,” he said.
“We have elements that are anti-development.”
He likened the destruction of infrastructure to stealing bricks from a house under construction. Such acts reversed progress and undermined the country’s development aspirations.
“We cannot have a situation where the President is building day and night only to have someone come and steal the bricks. A house that was at window level regresses to foundation level,” he said.
“Vision 2030 cannot be achieved if we destroy what we have built.”
Lt-Gen Tapfumaneyi said traditional leaders had a critical role in mobilising communities to protect public infrastructure, preserve national values and support development initiatives.
He described the relationship between the army and traditional leaders as fundamental to national stability, drawing parallels with the liberation struggle, when chiefs provided spiritual and community leadership.
The annual commemorations, held under the theme, ‘Preserving Culture for Nation Building and Sustainable Development’, provided a platform for the military and traditional leaders to strengthen their partnership and discuss emerging challenges.
“Traditional leaders are important in the preservation of our culture and values as Zimbabweans. They also highlight the importance of our land and teach us to value our heritage,” he said.
He urged all political parties to promote national values and cultural preservation, stressing that the responsibility extended beyond Zanu PF.
“This is not about Zanu PF only but every political player should give attention to it,” he said.
On maintaining law and order, Lt-Gen Tapfumaneyi said communities, chiefs, police and other authorities had a shared responsibility to discourage destructive behaviour and guide offenders towards responsible conduct.
He called on Government officials, institutions and individuals to value time; delays in executing programmes hindered development.
Traditional leaders and the military complemented each other, with chiefs playing an important role in guiding communities and resolving disputes, including misunderstandings over traditional boundaries.
“No enemy can destabilise the country if traditional leaders and their army are united and collaborate,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Zimbabwe National Army’s commitment to working with traditional leaders in advancing national development, saying the partnership would help communities contribute towards Vision 2030.
Lt-Gen Tapfumaneyi also led a minute of silence in honour of victims of the MV Rida Mbuya Nehanda ferry disaster on Lake Kariba on August 11, commending soldiers involved in recovering bodies from the lake.
“We would like to commend our soldiers, particularly the Boat Regiment led by Lieutenant Colonel Muchechesi, for a job well done in leading the recovery of nearly 100 bodies in Lake Kariba under difficult weather conditions,” he said.
A total of 97 bodies were recovered from the lake.
He extended his condolences to the affected families and traditional leaders in Mashonaland West.
The army chief thanked the corporate sector for supporting the commemorations and commended Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland West Marian Chombo for her role in promoting provincial unity and development.
As part of the traditional proceedings, chiefs received a calabash of homemade brew and snuff.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation provincial chairman Mr Timothy Chizuzu hailed traditional leaders and the army for ensuring that mining continues in yhe safe a d peaceful environment.
Chief Ngezi hailed the partnership between the army and traditional leaders, saying it was important in promoting development.
Host, chief Neuso said the rotation of venues had ensured development spread across the country.
At least 27 of the 32 chiefs in Mashonaland West attended the event.
