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students from Sadc saying this creates trust among armed forces in the region.
Officiating at the graduation of junior staff course number 55 at ZPS in Harare yesterday, Minister Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe is committed to the development and cementing of mutually beneficial linkages with other regional defence forces.
The course, which began in January this year, saw 57 students from the initial 60 completing the programme.
Five were women, one died during the course and the other two failed.
The students were drawn from Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Tanzania.
Said Minister Mnangagwa: “This kind of diverse mix provides an enabling environment for the exchange of ideas and sharing of experiences amongst the students.
“Zimbabwe will continue on the path of promoting joint military training in pursuance of a shared common military vision as well as in maintaining peace, stability and co-operation within the region.”
He urged the force to be wary of neo-colonial forces that are at play in the country’s socio-economic and political arena.
“I am aware that your instructors dwelt more on the need for you as loyal citizens of your respective countries, to be wary of such developments and be able to resist them. I urge you to always bear in mind that it is your duty as members of the defence forces to maintain an enabling environment for socio-economic development,” he said.
Commenting on the involvement of women in military training, Minister Mnangagwa said the development was in line with the country’s publicly acclaimed policy of gender equality.
“For the greater part of history of mankind, the womenfolk have been subject to unequal treatment with their male counterparts. The Government’s policy of gender equality seeks to correct this unjust state of affairs and further the ideals and virtues of women as equal participants in all spheres of life,” he said.
Minister Mnangagwa also urged the graduands to remain patriotic and discharge their duties diligently.
Government, Minister Mnangagwa said, is committed to improving the welfare of defence forces members.
“The issue of salaries is being looked into and once a solution has been found, you will be appraised accordingly,” he said.
Defence forces commander General Constantine Chiwenga, ZNA commander Lieutenant General Phillip Valerio Sibanda, Commissioner general of the police Augustine Chihuri and other senior Government officials attended the event.
Online Reporter