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Lovemore Mataire Senior Reporter
DEFENCE Minister Dr Sydney Sekeramayi yesterday said the opposition MDC-T was covertly working with some Western nations to foment mass unrest and create conducive ground for regime change in the country.
In an interview after officiating at the graduation ceremony of Junior Staff Course Number 63 at the Zimbabwe Staff College, Dr Sekeramayi castigated the MDC-T for crafting and supporting the economic sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union.
Dr Sekeramayi said the MDC lobbied the US for the continued sanctions with the sole purpose of effecting a regime change.
He said the graduating officers needed to understand the background behind the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West.
He said his ministry was in the process of addressing challenges being faced by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF).
“In the meantime, I urge you to remain vigilant and patriotic as some regressive elements are always looking for the slightest opportunity to exploit in their endeavour to reverse the gains of our Independence. Defence of our sovereignty is non-negotiable, which makes it imperative for you to ensure that these gains are preserved for posterity,” said Dr Sekeramayi.
He said the ZDF’s mandate was not to wage wars but to maintain a peaceful environment conducive for socio-economic development.
“It therefore goes without saying that the professionalism being cultivated through training and development programmes like the Junior Staff Course Number 63 have helped the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to foster mutual understanding and excellent working relations with the general populace,” Dr Sekeramayi said.
The Junior Staff Course Number 63 commenced on January 12 2015 with an initial enrolment of 56 officers drawn from various establishments of the Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, ZRP and seven officers from the SADC region.
Namibia had three students while Botswana, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zambia had one each.
Dr Sekeramayi said in line with the collective obligation of maintaining peace and stability in the Sadc region, ZDF will continue engaging in student exchange programmes as a way of strengthening regional military co-operation.
Online Reporter