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Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces has been commended for the active role it continues to play through its involvement in community development programmes in Manicaland.
Besides building schools and clinics across the province, the ZDF is also demining landmines in areas along the border.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Defence Forces Day commemorations for Chipinge District held at Checheche Primary School, Chipinge South legislator, Cde Enock Porusingazi and his Musikavanhu counterpart, Dr Joshua Murire echoed similar sentiments, saying the demining exercise is meant to protect citizens from potential hazards.
He said landmines are a threat to the lives of people staying along Manicaland borders.
“We all know that Manicaland was the route which was used by freedom fighters crossing into neighbouring Mozambique for military training. The enemy tried to scuttle these efforts and derail the liberation struggle by planting landmines along the border so that our people would be killed.
“After attaining independence, a lot of these landmines were not removed and posed great danger to our people’s lives. Some exploded and killed many. Commendably, the ZDF is demining these areas of explosives,” said Cde Porusingazi.
Dr Murire hailed the role played by ZDF in community development.
“By building schools and clinics in our communities, the ZDF is contributing immensely to the attainment of Vision 2030 basing on the foundations of National Development Strategy (NDS1). These are key infrastructure for the modernisation of our country,” he said.
Scores of people yesterday thronged Checheche Primary School for the Defence Forces Day celebrations as this was the first time the district commemorations were held outside Chipinge town.
Chipinge District Administrator Mr William Mashava read the President’s speech.
Online Reporter