adminEllah Mukwati Herald Reporter
Soldiers should remain professional and dedicated to defend the country’s hard won Independence in the face of manoeuvres by detractors to cause chaos, a senior army officer said on Friday. Addressing people during the graduation ceremony of section commanders who completed a Tactics Course at Two Mechanised Battalion in Darwendale, Colonel Kenneth Chihumba, said soldiers were supposed to desist from committing crime as it tarnished the image of the army.
“I now challenge you to reflect on everything that you learnt as you join your troops at various units. “As you go back to your units, you must remain vigilant at all times, and guard jealously the hard won Independence, which came after a protracted armed struggle,” he said.
“You must remain very alert, suspicious and as inquisitive as possible in order to detect and deter any hostile activities by our country’s detractors.
“Let’s remain loyal, focused and hard-working.
“Our erstwhile colonisers remain chasing us, and they have imposed illegal sanctions that have seen our economy not performing well. Through hard working and perseverance, this phase will come to pass.”
Col Chihumba applauded female students for the effort they put to complete the course.
“It is pleasing to note that female students held their own ground and stood head to shoulder with their male counterparts throughout the course,” he said.
Commenting on crime, Col Chihumba said: “Committing civil offences and other criminal activities will not only invite the wrath of the law to the offender, but will tarnish the name and image of the organisation.
“A properly trained soldier will always conduct himself/herself in good order both on and off duty,” he said.
“Let me take this opportunity to remind you that the hallmark of good leadership is discipline, loyalty and dedication to duty and it remains the corner stone of any professional army.”
The best student of the course Corporal Bernard Chikomo said discipline and self-determination were the factors that led to his success.
“I am happy that I became the best student today. I have been working very hard. To succeed, one needs to be disciplined as well,” he said.
Online Reporter