Value traditional leaders, says army boss

Shelton Muchena Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe National Army has urged Zimbabweans to value traditional leaders, as they are part of the security architecture. This was said by ZNA Commander Lieutenant-General Philip Valerio Sibanda in a speech read on his behalf by Major General Trust Mugoba at Mashonaland East Traditional Leaders’ Day last Saturday. “When King Leopold was writing his letter to the missionaries, he urged them not to teach Africans about God, but urged them to destroy our tradition and cultural values and our chiefs were killed because they were against the idea of missionaries ruling Africa,” he said.

Lt-Gen Sibanda said the Zimbabwe Defence Forces respected traditional chiefs for defending the sovereignty of Africans.

“We have the likes of Chief Mashayamombe, Mbuya Nehanda and their fellow comrades who were killed in trying to resist colonialism,” he said.

“As ZDF, we value them as we strongly believe traditional leaders are part of the security architecture,” he said.