Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, [email protected]
A TOP Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) official has warned soldiers against partaking in drug and substance abuse, saying those caught in the act will be expelled from the military service.
Speaking during the 9th edition of the Inter-Formation and Unit Drill Competition at 5 Infantry Brigade in Kwekwe yesterday, ZNA Chief of Staff (Quartermaster Staff) Major-General Hlanganani Dube said serving members should be torch-bearers in denouncing drug and substance abuse menace.
His sentiments come at a time when the country is grappling with the drug and substance abuse menace which has already been declared a security threat by Government, and has since established a technical committee to address the scourge.
President Mnangagwa has since set up the National Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse which is chaired by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri
Maj-Gen Dube said discipline is a basic element of their culture which has moulded the ZNA to be one of the highly disciplined and professional armies within the Sadc region.
“Indiscipline will not be tolerated and those found on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with severely. On a related note, a new ingredient in the recipe of indiscipline has manifested itself, and it is drug and substance abuse,” he said.
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“This nation has been hit by this grossly negative phenomenon. All should be warned that there is no place for drug and substance abuse in ZNA and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) in general. Anyone caught in this act, will be instantly discharged. Forewarned is forearmed.”
The two-week-long drill competitions, which started on 27 November, drew participants from all the 10 formations and four units of the ZNA across the country.
Hosts, 5 Infantry Brigade emerged winners of the competitions held under the theme; ”Drill, inculcating discipline, obedience and loyalty towards the attainment of vision 2030”.
Maj-Gen Dube said the competitions were designed to evaluate the level of drill and measure discipline within the army hence the participation of all ZNA formations and units.
“In its simplest forms, drill involves the coordination of the mind and body, thus unifying individual actions to come up with one execution. In that regard, a drill is very important because it improves physical fitness, progressively toughness, and conditions soldiers while improving their teamwork, confidence, uniformity and in the process their discipline,” he said.
“Thus, in order to attain high standards of military proficiency, drill should be a soldier’s daily activity. Drill and discipline are inseparable.”
Maj-Gen Dube said discipline is the hallmark of any professional army while the drill is the cornerstone of discipline within the military.
“The two are inseparable as drill movements are an adherence to command and control which in itself is a sign of discipline. ZNA attaches great importance to drill as it instils discipline within the rank and file individually and collectively'” he said.
Maj-Gen Dube hailed the participation of female members of the army.
“I am pleased by the continued participation of the Zimbabwe Women Services in these competitions. This is a clear testimony of the importance being placed on the professional development of female soldiers within the ZDF,” he said.
“This is also in line with the Second Republic’s policy of moving together, leaving no one and no place behind and promoting gender equality as we pursue the attainment of Vision 2030.”
The annual drill competition was launched in 2013 as a way of evaluating the level of drill and discipline within the ZNA.
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