Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira-Senior Reporter
MEMBERS of the military must uphold the highest standards of discipline and professionalism because their core mission remains unchanged by leadership transitions, Commander-in-chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Mnangagwa has said.
He made the remarks while presiding over the handover-takeover parade for the ZDF Commandant at Charles Gumbo Barracks.
The ceremony marked the official assumption of command by the newly-appointed ZDF Commander, General Emmanuel Matatu, following the retirement of General Phillip Valerio Sibanda.
Gen Matatu’s appointment to the role of Commander was accompanied by his promotion from the rank of Lieutenant-General to a full General.
In his address, the President said while leaders may change, the sacred duty of the ZDF to protect the nation’s sovereignty and constitutional order was perpetual.
“The outgoing Commander, General Sibanda, has served our great nation in the military in different capacities from 1974 to date, a period of 51 years. Throughout his career, General Sibanda has always demonstrated unflinching loyalty and patriotism as well as unparalleled discipline and professionalism, both as a soldier and son of Zimbabwe. He has consistently served with integrity, exhibiting ethics and values that are worthy of emulation by the rank and file across the Defence Forces,” said President Mnangagwa.
“I urge you to continue maintaining the discipline and professionalism that the ZDF is renowned for and ensure that there is continuity of the programmes and plans that your predecessor has been undertaking. To the officers, men and women of the ZDF, I urge you to remain disciplined and loyal as these qualities are the cornerstones of any military organisation. While we may have changes in leadership, the mission of the ZDF remains the same,” said President Mnangagwa.
“I implore you to render the same support and professionalism to the new Commander as you have always done. This should ensure a smooth transition and the continued success of the ZDF.”
He described Gen Sibanda as a patriotic cadre who consistently served ZDF and the country with distinction.
“The outgoing Commander, General Sibanda, has served our great nation in the military in different capacities from 1974 to date, a period of 51 years. Throughout his career, General Sibanda has always demonstrated unflinching loyalty and patriotism as well as unparalleled discipline and professionalism, both as a soldier and son of Zimbabwe. He has consistently served with integrity, exhibiting ethics and values that are worthy of emulation by the rank and file across the Defence Forces,” said President Mnangagwa.
He implored Gen Sibanda to continue serving the country to the best of his ability.
“Going forward, I exhort you to continue to serve our country in whatever manner as you play your part in the building of our motherland, Zimbabwe. I wish you the very best in the years ahead,” said President Mnangagwa.
“Let me also take this opportunity to thank Mrs Sibanda and the whole Sibanda family for your sacrifices and the unwavering support you rendered to General Sibanda, throughout his career, in service to our motherland, Zimbabwe.”
Turning to Gen Matatu, President Mnangagwa said he had confidence that he would maintain the benchmark set by Gen Sibanda.
“To the incoming Commander, General Emmanuel Matatu, I want to first congratulate you on your promotion and appointment to the post of Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. I am confident that you are equal to the task and that you will use your vast experience to effectively and professionally lead the ZDF as was the case with your predecessor,” he said.
“Going forward, I exhort you to continue to serve our country in whatever manner as you play your part in the building of our motherland, Zimbabwe. I wish you the very best in the years ahead,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa mentioned some of the highlights registered by Gen Sibanda in his military career.
They include participation in the struggle for the liberation of Zimbabwe from 1974 up to 1980, where he ended as Head of Combat Intelligence in the former ZIPRA High Command in 1979.
“In the post-independence period, General Sibanda became a Liaison Officer for Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West Provinces, based at Headquarters 2 Brigade, Cranborne Barracks. These three provinces were known as Operation Hurricane by the Rhodesians. The Liaison officer group was made up of three former ZANLA comrades, namely, Anderson Mhuru, Charles Munyoro, both late, and Joseph Muzhamba. From former ZIPRA, it was General Sibanda, Todd Mpisi and Richard Mataure. The Rhodesian element was led by Rob Stocker and two others,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said the Liaison Officer group was charged with the responsibility of managing and solving all issues affecting the comrades in the five Assembly Points spread across the three provinces.
In 1981, General Sibanda was appointed a green board officer in the equivalent rank of Colonel.
“With time, he and many others in a similar situation were confirmed by the Joint High Command, of which I was Chairman, and were subsequently commissioned in those ranks,” he said.
Thereafter, Gen Sibanda held several key appointments in the ZNA and later the ZDF.
They include Colonel Quartermaster Staff at Army HQ from 1981 to 1984, Commandant All Arms Battle School from 1984 to 1985, Commandant Zimbabwe Staff College from 1985 to 1987, Commander 4 Infantry Brigade from 1987 to 1990.
He later returned to Zimbabwe Staff College, again as Commandant, between 1990 and 1992, before he was appointed Chief of Staff, Administrative Staff, from 1992 to 1994 and Chief of Staff, General Staff during the period 1994 to 1995.
In 1995, General Sibanda, in the rank of Major General, was appointed Commander and Chief Military Observer of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) from February 1995 to 1997.
He was later appointed Commander and Chief Military Observer of the UNAVEM III successor mission, known as the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (MONUA) from 1997 to 1998.
On completion of his tour of duty with MONUA in 1998, General Sibanda returned to Army Headquarters as Chief of Staff General Staff, a portfolio he held until 2002.
In 2002, and in the same rank, General Sibanda was appointed the Force Commander of Operation Sovereign Legitimacy in DRC, under the Sadc Allied Forces.
He remained in that role until the Sadc Mission in the DRC ended.
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga (second left), Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (in black) and Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Anselem Sanyatwe (right) prepare to welcome President Mnangagwa at Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare yesterday, ahead of the handover-takeover of the ZDF command.
Upon his return home from the DRC, he again served as the Chief of Staff General Staff, during 2003 and 2004.
Gen Sibanda was promoted to Lieutenant-General in 2004 and then elevated to Commander ZNA in 2004, a post he held until 2017.
He was thereafter appointed to Commander Defence Forces, serving in that capacity to date.
“As Commander Defence Forces, I have worked closely with him for the last seven years. I want to thank General Sibanda for his service to Zimbabwe in the various capacities mentioned,” said President Mnangagwa.
