Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) has prioritised the accelerated clearance of landmines along the country’s borders with Mozambique and Zambia to allow communities in affected areas to fully participate in economic activities, the Ministry of Defence has said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Mr Aaron Nhepera, said completing the mine clearance exercise was among the ministry’s key priorities under the National Development Strategy II (NDS II).
He was speaking at the Ministry of Defence’s 2026 strategic review and 2027 annual planning workshop, which started at a Bulawayo hotel on Monday.
Mr Nhepera said the ministry was also focused on modernising the country’s defence capabilities, improving training and human resource development, and upgrading infrastructure.
“The focus will largely draw on the Five-year Strategic Plan which captures the Ministry’s priorities under the NDS II.
“Among these is the desire to upgrade and modernise defence capabilities which we seek to achieve by mobilising as much additional resources as possible in order to close identifiable capability gaps that impede our capacity to respond effectively to contemporary and emerging security threats,” said Mr Nhepera.
He said the ministry would increase the use of modern technology while strengthening training and human resource development programmes.
Infrastructure development, particularly institutional accommodation, health and training facilities, was also among the ministry’s priorities.
Mr Nhepera said the ministry intended to expand its business ventures and establish new ones to supplement funding from Treasury.
“We also intend to boost our current business ventures as well as create new ones, to augment the meagre resources provided by Treasury,” he said.
He said the ministry was also working towards developing a formidable defence industry through the capacitation of Heritage Shield Solutions, which would be expected to collaborate with industry and academic institutions.
Mr Nhepera said accelerating the mine clearance exercise along the borders with Mozambique and Zambia was critical to unlocking economic opportunities for communities living in affected areas.
“Accelerated completion of the mine clearance exercise along our borders with Mozambique and Zambia is yet another priority we are focusing on.
“This will allow affected communities to be able to participate fully in the economic trajectory that the Second Republic has created,” he said.
