President promotes senior ZNA, Air Force officers

Harare Bureau
President Mugabe yesterday promoted 10 Zimbabwe National Army colonels to the rank of Brigadier-General and eight Air Force of Zimbabwe squadron leaders to the rank of Wing Commander. Wing Commander Darlington Kadyautumbe was promoted to the rank of Group Captain. They were all promoted in line with Section 15 (1) B of the Defence Act Chapter 11:02. Addressing the 10 Brig Gens, ZNA Commander Lieutenant General Philip Valerio Sibanda, said the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Mugabe, promoted them in recognition of their hard work.

“This promotion is recognition by the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) President Mugabe for the good work you’re doing. “It’s also a call for you to work hard especially in the environment that you’re in as well as ensuring that the country is stable, and troops are catered for,” said Lt Gen Sibanda.

The new Brig-Gens are William Dube, Morgan Mzilikazi, Tendai Eliot Dzirutwe, Charles Kaneta, Stanely Mangena, Fidelis Mhonda, Exsebious Vusa Tshuma, Christopher Sibanda, Hlanganani Tapson Dube and Ephias Mahachi.

Lt Gen Sibanda said the newly promoted Brig Gens should work harder adding that the promotions come with a lot of responsibilities. “You’re not going to sit back and rest because you’ve been promoted; you need to work harder than before because these promotions have come with a lot of responsibility.”

Newly promoted Brig-Gen Dube expressed appreciation to President Mugabe for the higher responsibility they were conferred with.

“On behalf of the newly-promoted members, let me express my deepest appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Mugabe for the higher responsibilities that he has just conferred to us. “We want to commit ourselves to do the best that we can to serve our country,” said Brig-Gen Dube

The eight AFZ squadron leaders elevated to Wing Commanders are: Eustina Maposa, Joyce Maeresera, Steven Sena, Thokhozani Chihuri, Paridzirai Mazhindu, Peter Manyere, Givemore Taveshure and a P Mukwanda. Group Cpt Kadyautumbe was conferred with his new rank last Friday by the Commander AFZ Air Marshal Perrance Shiri at Manyame Air Base while the other eight were conferred yesterday at AFZ headquarters.

Addressing the officers yesterday, AFZ chief-of-staff supporting services Air Vice Marshal Jacob John Nzvede, applauded them for attaining the new rank. “I know it’s been a hard and torrid road, but you managed. You’ve worked hard and waited for a long time to attain the new rank,” he said. He said the competition was tough among other senior officers but through hard work, they had excelled.

“Don’t stop to aim for other ranks. The sky’s the limit and I urge you to continue excelling. And, with this new rank, you’re required to undertake special tasks, and don’t be found wanting,” Air Vice Marshal Nzvede said. He said the officers successfully completed the required courses at prescribed military training academies and Command and Staff Development institutions.