admindwindle hence there was need to replace soldiers who either retire, die or are dismissed. Minister Mnangagwa said this in the House of Assembly during question and answer session on Wednesday.
Chinhoyi MP, Mr Steward Garadhi (MDC-T) had asked Minister Mnangagwa why the Zimbabwe Defence Forces continued to recruit and train soldiers when the fiscus was underperforming.
Minister Mnangagwa said Sections 211 and 212 provided for the ZDF to defend the country.
“The current authorised strength is 40 000 members and currently we stand at only 36 000, falling short by 4 000. Presently, the filled posts are well below the authorised strength. As such, the current engagements are not massive or over recruitment,” he said.
He said the majority of members were former freedom fighters most of whom had reached retirement age.
“Any pause in replacing members wasted through retirement, resignations, deaths, court martial dismissals and other causes, creates shortfalls which take time to fill thereby affecting the strength of the ZDF and its effectiveness,” he said.
Online Reporter