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Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau
COMMANDER Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe has urged military personnel to uphold the Constitution, emphasising the importance of creating a peaceful environment to achieve national goals.
Lt Gen Sanyatwe made the remarks while addressing soldiers and invited guests during the change of command ceremony at the Five Infantry Brigade in Battlefields, near Kwekwe, last Friday.
The ceremony marked the handover of command from Brigadier General Mpuleang Siziba to Brigadier General Lawrence Munzararikwa. Brig Gen Siziba has been reassigned as the director general of Joint Operations and Plans at the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Headquarters in Harare.
“The people of Zimbabwe have high hopes and expectations for a better future. Accordingly, as the Zimbabwe National Army, we should discharge our constitutional mandate to ensure conducive and tranquil environment prevails for the attainment of national programmes,” he said.
Lt Gen Sanyatwe noted that Zimbabweans have high hopes for a better future and that the army must fulfil its constitutional duty to protect the country’s territorial integrity from internal and external threats.
He also underscored the need for military personnel to align their efforts with the national development agenda, particularly the Vision 2030 goal of achieving an upper-middle-income economy.
“We should all, therefore, understand the vision enunciated by the President and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in its entirety to contribute meaningfully to the attainment of an upper-middle-income economy status of our motherland,” said Lt Gen Sanyatwe.
“The Zimbabwe National Army is mandated to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity from the country’s detractors.”
Brig Gen Siziba, reflecting on his tenure, said it was an honour to serve at the Five Infantry Brigade and that he was ready for his new role.
“As a formation, we carried out operations against illegal gold panning and machete-wielding gangs to support the ZRP. Relatedly, we currently have security forces deployed in Gokwe to curb the smuggling of goods outside the country,” he said.
“Together with my colleagues from JOC, we have managed to address the various security challenges.”
Brig Gen Munzararikwa pledged to build on his predecessor’s efforts and ensure the brigade remained effective in executing its duties.
“I will ensure that the troops I am leading here reach their full potential. I am cognisant of the responsibilities that come with the task at hand,” he said.
“The province requires us to deal with illegal mining, smuggling and all sorts of vices. I assure you that I will endeavour to keep everything under command in good order.”
Online Reporter