adminZimbabweans have since independence been sleeping soundly knowing too well that the country’s sovereignty is guarded jealously by their loyal and trusted security forces. Zimbabwe Defence Forces officers have distinguished themselves at home and abroad in the different countries where they have been posted under the auspices of the United Nations to carry out peacekeeping duties.
The officers have demonstrated high level of professionalism hence they continue to be assigned duties by the UN. The latest UN request is for Zimbabwe to deploy peacekeeping officers to Syria where war between government troops and rebels has intensified.
What makes the ZDF case unique is that despite the debilitating illegal sanctions imposed by Britain, US and their allies, the officers have remained professional.
Today, as we commemorate the ZDF Day, we want to salute the men and women who have sacrificed their lives not only to safeguard our sovereignty but also to ensure that citizens in other corners of the globe especially in the troubled spots on the African continent, also enjoyed peace.
These are men and women who have been forced to make do with very limited resources but have come out victors.
The ZDF continues to churn out professional officers at its different training institutions such as the Zimbabwe Military Academy in Gweru despite shortage of resources.
We want at this juncture to appeal to Zimbabweans to respect the ZDF’s professionalism that has seen the country enjoy peace and tranquility. The ZDF Commander, General Constantine Chiwenga has assured the nation that ZDF will remain loyal to civilian authority and this is as it should be.
The calls for security sector reforms given the ZDF position as clearly spelt out by General Chiwenga, are misplaced and only meant to destabilise the country. There is need to distinguish between individuals and institutions.
It is not a secret that some political parties are targeting certain individuals within the security forces hence the unwarranted calls for security sector reforms when in fact what these politicians want is the removal of these individuals and not the reform of the security institutions.
We want to implore the ZDF officers not be to detracted from their mandate of safeguarding the sovereignty of this nation by the misguided elements that are making unfounded allegations against them. The Government on its part, must ensure that the ZDF is adequately resourced so that it is able to carry out its mandate of not only safeguarding our sovereignty but that of other nations during peacekeeping duties.
Every year during ZDF commemorations, the President and Commander-In-Chief of ZDF, Cde Mugabe, has highlighted the many challenges facing the ZDF which include among others, shortage of accommodation for officers, transport and other such challenges and it is time these challenges are addressed.
The ZDF has to keep abreast with the changing technologies globally and it can only do so when it is adequately resourced. The ZDF should however, be commended for being innovative which has enabled it to improvise but there is a limit to this.
We want to once again salute men and women officers of the ZDF for serving the nation loyally for the past 32 years much to the chagrin of our detractors.
We have no reason to doubt that as a nation we will continue to sleep soundly knowing too well that our security is guaranteed.
Online Reporter