Put country first, army chief tells soldiers

seek to jettison the prevailing peace.
Lt Gen Sibanda was speaking at the 30th passout parade of 990 army recruits at 53 Infantry Battalion at Battlefields in Kwekwe last Friday.
The recruits underwent a six-month intense military training and will be deployed to operational units in the army.
“The young men and women will play a pivotal role in defending Zimbabwe’s territorial sovereignty and interest of the general populace,” said Lt Gen Sibanda.
“The number of women demonstrates the acclaimed national gender policy which seeks to promote women as equal members of our society.”
Lt Gen Sibanda said of the 1 011 recruits, 160 were women and were drawn from all provinces of the country.
“From the total, 991 managed to graduate.
“The graduates had “shown commitment to meet the high mental, physical and personal standards set by the national army,” he said.
Lt Gen Sibanda also said the training was meant to help the recruits visualise the                agonising and enduring events that characterised the Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence.
He urged members of the army to be law-abiding citizens and advance development initiatives in their respective communities.
“Members of the national army are expected to be disciplined and patriotic at all times. They have to ensure they add value to the community, their lives and the country as a whole.
“Professionalism will remain the guiding principle in the execution of duties.
“At the same time they will be able to respect communities that brought them up,” he said.