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Talent Chimutambgi-Herald Reporter
The Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Mnangagwa has promoted three Zimbabwe National Army colonels to the rank of brigadier general with effect from 8 September using his powers vested in the Defence Act and including the first general officer of the new generation too young to have been a veteran of the liberation war.
The promoted Brigadier Generals are Benedict Runodada, Stanford Kufa and Blessing Chikukuza Maraire.
Brigadier Generals Runodada and Maraire were conferred with the insignia of the new ranks by the Commander Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant General David Sigauke, at an investiture ceremony held at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks yesterday.
Lt Gen Sigauke commended the new general officers for their patriotism, loyalty and professionalism, which he said had resulted in their promotion.
“This promotion is indeed a true testimony of your unquestionable patriotism, loyalty, professionalism and selfless dedication to duty which you have exhibited over the years,” Lt Gen Sigauke said.
Lt Gen Sigauke said he was pleased with the injection of young blood into the generals’ rank as seen in the promotion of Brigadier General Runodada, saying this was consistent with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces thrust of promoting young blood to senior and challenging appointments.
Brig Gen Runodada’s promotion is historic, in that he becomes the first non-war veteran to hold that rank.
“It is pleasing to note that amongst the generals being promoted today, for the first time in history of the Zimbabwe National Army, we have young blood being injected into the general’s ranks, as evidenced by the promotion of Commander Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Benedict Runodada.
“This is consistent with the thrust of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces of promoting young blood to senior and challenging appointments in order to allow blending in the organisation so as to carry forward the organisation’s professional legacy,” he said.
Brigadier General Runodada is Commander Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Kufa is Zimbabwe’s Defence Attachee to the United Kingdom, while Brigadier General Maraire is the Director General Logistics at the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Headquarters.
Online Reporter