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Addressing thousands of people at the National Sports Stadium yesterday for the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day celebrations, the President said sanctions were meant to compromise the people’s standards of living and destabilise the country.
“However, these sinister manoeuvres were successfully resisted thanks to the combined effort, grit and resilience of the people of Zimbabwe, the defence forces, other law enforcement agencies and the country’s political leadership,” he said.
The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces urged the nation and the security arms to remain focused in the face of open aggression from the country’s adversaries.
“Allow me to take this opportunity to appeal to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, other security organisations and all progressive Zimbabweans to remain focused, loyal and patriotic to the noble spirit of jealously defending Zimbabwe and its rich natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations,” President Mugabe said.
He added: “We should join hands to resist the unjustified plunder of our resources by undeserving foreign forces that come to us like friends in the name of democracy and globalisation, yet they harbour sinister ulterior motives.”
President Mugabe said the leadership greatly valued the people’s support in defence of Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“My wish as Commander-in-Chief is that you should continue to support us as we explore other ways of adequately defending the country to enable all Zimbabweans and the business community to engage in economic development initiatives without any disturbances,” he said.
President Mugabe said recent developments in Zimbabwe had shown that other countries have direct interests in controlling Zimbabwe’s natural resources.
He cited spirited attempts by the country’s detractors to influence the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme in the sale of diamonds.
“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces, in conjunction with other national security organs, have a responsibility to institute effective responsive solutions to such unjustified and provocative manoeuvres in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.
“I am heartened to note that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces have, to date, been active agent in coming up with reliable defence mechanisms in this regard,” President Mugabe said.
He also thanked the ZDF for engaging in humanitarian work like the removal of antipersonnel landmines planted along the country’s borders by the Rhodesian forces during the liberation struggle.
The President, however, noted that progress in the removal of the landmines has been limited owing to the shortage of resources.
“International law puts the responsibility of removing the landmines on the Government of the affected countries instead of punishing those responsible for planting them.
“Through this unfair decision, we are expected to fund the demining exercise while at the same time overseeing the development of the nation,” he said.
The European Union and the US have stopped funding the exercise, leaving the huge task on Government and the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
President Mugabe said Government was keen on improving conditions of service for members of the ZDF. “Conditions of service for the Zimbabwe Defence Forces remain an important and critical aspect that continues to be reviewed as and when resources become available.
“It is in this regard that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces commanders in conjunction with the Defence Forces Service Commission, continue to explore various ways of improving the conditions of service of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces members and have since approved the payment of Military Salary Concept and XFactor allowances.
“However, payment of the allowances has not commenced as yet owing to scarcity of resources. It is hoped that these will be paid once the resources become available.”
On the training of Zimbabwe’s security forces, the President said the National Defence College was “a defence university in the making and will soon open its doors to senior military and civilian officers for further training”.
Meanwhile, in Bulawayo officials from the two MDC formations yesterday shunned Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day celebrations, which were attended by hundreds of people.
Zanu-PF was the only party in the inclusive Government represented with members of the central committee and politburo gracing the occasion at White City Stadium.
The day is commemorated every year during the second Tuesday of August.
As early as 10am, people from all walks of life had gathered at the stadium.
Governor and Resident Minister for Bulawayo Province Ambassador Cain Mathema read President Mugabe’s speech.
The day started with the Governor inspecting a parade mounted by Bulawayo District. He was accompanied by One Brigade Commander Brigadier General Thomas Moyo.
Spokespersons for the two factions of the MDC played down their absence saying they were represented by their party members.
MDC national spokesperson Mr Nhlanhla Dube said the day was not an opportunity for political parties to gain publicity.
“We are a national party and over the years we have been actively involved in Government programmes and celebrated national days together with the nation. This is not the opportunity for publicity but it should be an indication of how we feel about our country’s values,” said Mr Dube.
He said although senior officials from the party were not at White City Stadium in Bulawayo, the party commemorated the day in remote places of the country where members attended.
“It is not true that we were not there because our members attended. Some were in Gwanda, Mutare and Gweru. As a party, we are trying to cultivate a culture of being apolitical on national events. We did not group as a party but we have encouraged our members to attend individually as we value all national days like the Unity Day, Heroes Day, Independence Day and Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day.”
MDC-T Bulawayo provincial chairman Mr Gorden Moyo said his party had attended by virtue of having the majority of supporters in Bulawayo.
“You know Bulawayo is MDC-T and to say we were not represented is not true because those people who attended are MDC-T. This was a Government programme and not a party programme and there was no reason to go as a party,” said Mr Moyo.
He said his party’s absence should not be mistaken for a sign of bad blood between the party and security forces. “We separate between the behaviour of individuals and the security sector and as a party, we value the significance of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day just like other national days. We appreciate as a party that these are important national symbols for our party and country and we cherish the hard work done by the forces. All we do not agree on is the behaviour of some individuals in the security sector who want to militarise the sector,” he said.
Present at the commemorations were Politburo member Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Zanu-PF Secretary for Youth Cde Absalom Sikhosana, Central Committee member Cde Molly Mpofu and Bulawayo Province acting chairman Cde Killian Sibanda, provincial service chiefs, the Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association national chairman Jabulani Sibanda, war veterans, war collaborators and former political detainees.
A group of “baby soldiers” stole the show with their drills which kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
Later in the day there was a soccer match as the defence forces kept people entertained throughout the day.
Meanwhile, in Gweru, hundreds of people from all corners of the Midlands Province yesterday thronged Mkoba Stadium in Gweru to commemorate the Zimbabwe Defence Forces’ 32nd anniversary.
Guests started trickling into the venue as early as 8.30am with service chiefs arriving at about 10.30am The guest of Honour, Cde Jason Machaya, who is the Governor for the Midlands, inspected a guard of honour before reading the President’s speech.
Guests were subjected to a variety of entertainment that included song and dance by various groups, among them, the Midlands Chimurenga Choir.
The crowd was also enthralled by drills from junior soldiers from Ngezi Primary School in Kwekwe.
In Gwanda, hundreds of people yesterday swarmed Phelandaba stadium in Gwanda to join the nation in commemorating defence forces day.
The crowd was entertained by various acts, including pupils from Sabiwa Primary School with their traditional dance, poet Cosmas Sithole and an urban grooves group Red Dox.
Speaking after delivering the President’s speech, Matabeleland South Governor and Resident Minister Angeline Masuku said youths in the province should emulate the role played by the armed forces in maintaining peace and stability in the country.
She encouraged the youths in the province to join the armed forces. “People of Matabeleland South, we have heard how the President is proud of our armed forces because of the significant role they have played in our country. I therefore challenge the youths in this province to ensure that they actively take part in the next recruitments so that they can also contribute in providing security for our nation,” said Cde Masuku.
Among the dignitaries who were present at the commemorations were Senate deputy president Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu, Labour and Public Service Deputy Minister Andrew Langa, service chiefs, Gwanda central Member of Parliament Patrick Dube, Government officials, the business community, war veterans, politicians and rural district councils.
Matabeleland North Governor and Resident Minister Thokozile Mathuthu led the commemorations at Lupane Centre. The large crowd was treated to various forms of entertainment which included poetry and speeches from youths who were rewarded with cash prizes. — Harare Bureau/Chronicle Reporter.
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