Army commander hails troops

Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE National Army Commander Lieutenant General Philip Valerio Sibanda yesterday commended the Zimbabwe Staff College for continuously producing staff officers who have made the army the envy of many internationally.

Speaking at the conferment of certificates to 10 Majors from different units who completed a course in Logistics Staff Course Number 3 at the Zimbabwe Staff College, Lt Gen Sibanda said it was through prioritised training that the army had remained vibrant and robust.

“The college has over the past years earned the respect of members of Sadc who have subscribed their officers to our training programmes,” he said.

“This show of confidence by our neighbours should make us proud and also urge us to do better in whatever we do.

“To achieve this, ZNA has consistently prioritised training in its activities. It is through deliberate training programmes such as Logistics Staff Course and others that the army has remained vibrant and robust.”

“The logistics course comprised courses in staff checks, road movement and dumping, while the second stage focused on Procurement and Finance.”

Lt Gen Sibanda urged more female officers to take part in multiple courses to bridge the gap of gender imbalance in the army.

He advised the graduates to put into practice what they had studied for the good image of the army and the country.

Later in the day, Lt Gen Sibanda officially opened a refurbished dental clinic at Staff College.

He said the renovated clinic would put at ease budget constraints faced by the ZNA in its health delivery system.

“The refurbishment came as a result of the need to replace the obsolete clinic,” Lt Gen Sibanda said.

“This will serve us money as the ZNA, through the treatment of our officers here and not refer them to experts from outside.”

The contributors to the rehabilitation of the clinic were Liquid Telecom and Professor Tarisai Dandajena and his wife Happiness.