President confers medals on ZDF personnel

of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit to 140 retired and serving members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
The Commander-In-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and Grand Master of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit, President Mugabe, conferred 23 officers with Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit while 117 others were awarded the Zimbabwe Order of Merit.

Twenty officers who were paraded to receive the awards represented the other 120 officers.
Introducing the officers at Celebrations to mark Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day at the National Sports Stadium in Harare yesterday, Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa said the recommendation to confer the officers arose from a thorough consideration of outstanding achievements in which the officers distinguished themselves.

He said the officers proved themselves as principled, loyal, dedicated and competent military leaders in their service to Zimbabwe in leading the liberation forces as well as moulding the ZDF into a versatile and professional force.

“Your Excellency, these officers had a distinctive part in initiating and monitoring the successful implementation of key operational, administrative and developmental programmes of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces,” Minister Mnangagwa said.
“They stood firm to jealously guard our beloved country against external and internal threats to our sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, national security, the national interests and the peace and freedom we are enjoying today.”

Minister Mnangagwa said the ZDF owes its success partly to some of the officers who were conferred with the medals.
Some of the officers who were conferred include Rtd Brigadier General Felix Ngwarati Muchemwa, Rtd Brig General Bonface Hurungudo, Brig General Emile Munemo and Rtd Colonel Tshinga Dube.

Minister Mnangagwa said the ZDF continued to fulfill its primary constitutional mandate of safeguarding Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and national interests.

He said the ZDF were also undertaking their secondary roles as expected among them community assistance projects.
Minister Mnangagwa said his ministry partnered with the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare in several projects.
He added that the ZDF were not spared from the effects of HIV and Aids scourge.

To that effect, Minister Mnangagwa said it was prudent that concerted efforts were made to combat the spread of the virus.
“In this regard, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces benefited from a donation of HIV and Aids and TB diagnostic equipment from the National Aids Council.
“The equipment will go a long way in efforts to combat and manage the spread of HIV and Aids in the Defence Forces,” he said.

Minister Mnangagwa said the Defence Forces also partnered with the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare in conducting male circumcision as part of efforts to combat HIV and Aids.

He said the ZDF enjoyed cordial relations with their regional counterparts.
He said this was evidenced by a number of regional commanders who have graced the ZDF day over the years.
Yesterday’s commemorations were attended by Zambian Defence Forces delegation led by the country’s army commander, Lieutenant General Paul Mihova.

Minister Mnangagwa said the ZDF continues to play its role in promoting peace and security in the region and beyond.