Chronicle Editor
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) held a fun-shooting competition in collaboration with various corporate organisations that was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the army and the civilian population.
The competition which was held last Saturday at the Bulawayo District 900 metre gallery range at Imbizo barracks was also a fundraising event to assist the charities in the ZNA which include the ZNA Patients, Widows and Orphans Trust Fund, ZNA Schools Welfare Trust, ZNA Patients Welfare Trust Fund, ZNA and the ZNA Benevolent Trust Fund.
Christened the Executive Interaction Initiative (EII), the fun shoot is the brain child of the former Commander ZNA who is now Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Philip Valerio Sibanda.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, EII Chairman Mr Jabulani Nkomo said the event gives an opportunity for civilians to interact with the army and understand that they are both human beings in different professions.
“We are following General Philip Valerio Sibanda’s vision who launched this concept some years ago. The concept was meant to encourage the business community and the army to interact and also be a fundraising machine for ZNA charities. There are a number of injured soldiers as well as widows which the ZNA supports, hence funds raised from this initiative are meant to assist these vulnerable groups,” said Mr Nkomo.
With the range being set abuzz with live bullets, it became an opportunity for communities to understand that contrary to the understanding that the army specialises in war, it is actually a revered organisation that has a reputable record of professionalism, loyalty, patriotism and commitment to duty within the region and beyond with marked and impactful footprints.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, security companies like Peace Security were among some of the outstanding shooters firing the AK-47 rifle without fear or hesitation.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Raj Modi also graced the event and led a team which also participated in the shootout competition.
Addressing the participants, the Deputy Commander of Bulawayo District Lt Colonel Summerset Mazarire said the event had been suspended due to Covid-19 but has since resumed. He said the funds raised from the initiative will go a long way in assisting various vulnerable communities.
“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event was suspended as a means not to risk the participants and spread the deadly disease, however, with the pandemic out of the way, it was decided to resume this important event on the ZNA’s calendar.
“Today we are all here to help raise funds for this noble cause and I hope that as a community we will work together to raise as much as we can towards these charities which include the Tsanga Lodge Convalescent Centre, ZNA Widows and Orphans Fund, the ZNA Schools Welfare and Trust Fund, just to mention but a few,” said Lt Col Mazarire.
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