Online Reporter
Columbus Mabika-Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) will continue to ensure the country has an enabling and secure environment for attaining national visions and goals that will improve livelihoods of citizens, Commander Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe has said.
Lt-Gen Sanyatwe made the remarks at the command handover-takeover of 2 Infantry Brigade at Kaguvi Barracks in Harare where Brigadier-General Million Ndlovu took over the reigns from Brig-Gen Charles Mashava on Wednesday.
Lt Gen Sanyatwe’s sentiments come as the modernisation of the ZDF remains a top priority in order to attain a hard hitting and competent force that is able to fulfil the constitutional mandate of defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said the people of Zimbabwe have high hopes and expectations for a better future and as such the ZDF should ensure that a conducive and tranquil environment prevails for the nation to achieve its aspirations.
“The people of Zimbabwe have high hopes and expectations for a better future and as the Zimbabwe National Army, we should ensure that the conducive and tranquil environment prevails so that all Government developmental programmes, citizenry of this nation and its visitors alike enjoy a sense of belonging and security in this beautiful motherland,” said the ZNA Commander.
“We should all, therefore, understand the Government’s vision for development in its entirety in order to contribute meaningfully in improving the lives and security of our people. In this regard, the modernisation of the ZDF capabilities is of priority despite the prevailing economic challenges.”
Lt Gen Sanyatwe said the ZDF will continue to engage Government through the Ministry of Defence to ensure that it gets requisite equipment that will make it a formidable force, operationally ready and capable of responding rapidly to any eventuality.
He called on commanders to pay particular attention to principled leadership responsive to the dictates of the current operational environment.
“I urge you to be highly vigilant and professional as you mirror the quality of leadership in the ZDF and the communities that you will be interacting with as this will play at the focal point on security matters in tactical areas of responsibility with other security and Government departments,” he said.
As a show of commitment to women empowerment in the ZDF, Lt Gen Sanyatwe promoted two female soldiers on parade, Letween Maziriri and Tariro Maronga for outstanding performances during the parade.
Accepting Command of 2 Infantry Brigade, Brig Gen Ndlovu said he was up to the task of commanding a formation whose tactical area of responsibility covers all Mashonaland provinces.
“I will endeavour to discharge my duties with integrity, professionalism, loyalty and defend the interest and ideals for the ZDF in general and the ZNA in particular. I want to praise God for his grace which has seen me ascend to this post which is undoubtedly the zenith of my professional military career,” he said.
Brig-Gen Ndlovu was previously a directing staff at the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at the Zimbabwe National Defence University.
Handing over Command, Brig General Mashava said his stint as formation commander was a learning curve.
“This was a journey laden with important lessons and experiences, it had its ups and downs but the most important thing is that we persevered as a team and managed to overcome most challenges,” he said.
He has since been reassigned to the ZDF headquarters as director general Civil Military Relations.
On Tuesday, Lt Gen Sanyatwe also presided over the change of command at Mechanised Brigade at Inkomo Barracks between the outgoing Commander Major General Josphat Kudumba and his successor Brig Gen Raban Nikisi.
Elsewhere yesterday, Colonel Richard Mapanda handed over the Command of Harare District Garrison to Colonel Never Makuyana.
The change of command is synonymous with military traditions as it allows officers to experience new challenges.
