adminacross Zimbabwe.
Lt Gen Sibanda said there was nothing unusual with the soldiers’ presence in the rural areas as they would be assisting Government departments.
He said some of the soldiers would also be going through their training schedules.
General Sibanda said the national army was a professional force and like any other armed force, it does preparations for war and re-equipment during peacetime.
His remarks followed media reports that the ZNA had deployed members in rural areas to aid the Zanu-PF campaign ahead of an anticipated general election.
“People must understand that as a national army we do not concentrate in one area. Our operations stretch across the breath and length of this country.
“We have troops in various parts of the country doing training and as I have said before some of them will be assisting in various Government departments like health and agriculture.
“It is unfortunate that we have some people who think that when they see army officers in a particular area they think that they are undertaking political activities.
“For example, recently we have had our troops who were doing an opposed river crossing training in Rusape and we read in some private newspapers that the army was campaigning for Zanu-PF. That was utter nonsense and it will remain utter nonsense.”
Lt Gen Sibanda said the ZNA had a vision to transform the force in the next five years and become more efficient and effective.
“We want to improve the conditions of service for our troops and beef up our manpower base.
“In the next five years, I can see a very efficient and effective force whose morale is high,” he said.
He said the ZNA was facing operational challenges just like any other Government department due to financial constraints.
Lt Gen Sibanda said the force was not getting enough resources from Government but it was making efforts to survive within its means.
“We are part and parcel of the Zimbabwean society and if there is a shortage it also affects us.
“Due to the country’s economic situation and a lot of inadequate financial provisions, we are not getting enough resources as we may need but we appreciate what Government is doing,” he said.
Online Reporter