Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) is prioritising the accelerated clearance of landmines along the country’s borders with Mozambique and Zambia to unlock economic opportunities for communities living in affected areas.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Mr Aaron Nhepera said the completion of the mine-clearance exercise was among the ministry’s key priorities as it implements the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2).
Speaking at the Ministry of Defence’s 2026 strategic review and 2027 annual planning workshop in Bulawayo on Tuesday, Mr Nhepera said clearing the remaining minefields would allow communities in affected areas to participate fully in economic activities.
“Accelerated completion of the mine clearance exercise along our borders with Mozambique and Zambia is yet another priority we are focusing on. This will allow affected communities to be able to participate fully in the economic trajectory that the Second Republic has created,” he said.
The mine-clearance programme is part of a wider defence strategy that will also focus on modernising the country’s defence capabilities, strengthening training and human resource development, and upgrading institutional infrastructure.
Mr Nhepera said the ministry would mobilise additional resources to address capability gaps and improve the ZDF’s ability to respond to contemporary and emerging security threats.
“The focus will largely draw on the Five-year Strategic Plan, which captures the Ministry’s priorities under the NDS 2.
“Among these is the desire to upgrade and modernise defence capabilities, which we seek to achieve by mobilising as much additional resources as possible to close identifiable capability gaps that impede our capacity to respond effectively to contemporary and emerging security threats,” he said.
Mr Nhepera said the ministry would increase the use of modern technology while strengthening training and human resource development programmes.
Infrastructure development, particularly institutional accommodation, health and training facilities, will also remain a priority.
Mr Nhepera said the ministry would also expand its business ventures and establish new ones to supplement funding from Treasury.
“We also intend to boost our current business ventures as well as create new ones, to augment resources provided by Treasury,” he said.
The ministry is also seeking to develop a stronger domestic defence industry through the capacitation of Heritage Shield Solutions, which is expected to collaborate with industry and academic institutions.
Disaster preparedness and response will also receive attention, with the ministry seeking to enhance the ZDF’s capacity to respond to emergencies and natural disasters.
“We are equally geared to capacitate the ZDF to enhance its disaster preparedness and response mechanisms,” said Mr Nhepera.
He said the ministry was pursuing several pieces of legislation and policies through Cabinet and Parliament to support the implementation of its NDS 2 objectives.
These include the Biological and Toxins Bill, Red Cross Amendment Bill, Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Bill, Defence Amendment Bill, Arms Trade Treaty and the Cluster Munitions Convention.
“These constitute part of our targets for the performance cycle under review and beyond, hence, they deserve to receive our full attention,” said Mr Nhepera.
Mr Nhepera said the ministry continued to face financial constraints. He, however, said the creation
of a special Treasury facility to clear the ministry’s legacy debts had improved its financial position.
“Credit, however, goes to Treasury for creating a special facility to clear our legacy debts which has greatly improved our situation, although some of our creditors continue to demand cash up-front,” he said.
