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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 anti-personnel 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 X-Factor 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”.
Online Reporter