ZDF to hand over completed public development projects

THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) will, starting today until Friday, hand over completed public infrastructure development projects during its community assistance week programme for 2023.

Annually, the ZDF celebrates its day on the second Tuesday of every August and these are held throughout the country.

Over the years, these celebrations have evolved into a culture where the ZDF showcases various community projects that it undertakes throughout the country in what they have termed the ZDF Community Assistance Programme.

The deployment of ZNA artisans to assist in community projects aptly demonstrates the symbiotic relationship existing between the ZDF and the communities within which they operate.

The events are held a week before the ZDF Celebrations Day.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Mr Aaron Nhepera will tomorrow preside over the handover to the community of Mbamba Clinic in Tsholotsho district.

The clinic was built using funds mobilised by members of the local community, some of whom diasporans and the ZDF provided expert labour.

Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Commander Lieutenant General David Sigauke will hand over a classroom block at Nyavira Secondary School in Nyabira, Mashonaland West province tomorrow.

On Thursday, Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri will hand over the army’s star project, a new classroom block and four refurbished classroom blocks at Gurungweni Secondary School in Chikombedzi district, Masvingo province.

ZDF Commander, General Philip Valerio Sibanda will hand over Tongogara Clinic in Shurugwi, Midlands province on Friday

In a statement, ZDF said the programme is in line with its tradition of assisting needy communities.

“In line with the tradition of assisting needy communities, the Zimbabwe Defence Force hierarchy will this year handover completed some public infrastructure development projects during the community assistance week programme commencing on August 7 up to August 11,” read the statement.

“Free medical assistance will be offered at Gurungweni Secondary School in Chikombedzi as well as Idube and Lastly clinics in Hwedza throughout the community assistance week.”

The spirit and purpose of the community assistance week is to foster cordial civil-military relations, engender self-reliance and educate members of the public on the role of the ZDF during peacetime.

The ZDF has over the past five years built at least 100 new schools and clinics for communities countrywide as it helps provide infrastructure needed to transform lives in line with the Second Republic’s Vision 2030.

The ZDF marks the week by conducting short-term health, construction and maintenance projects nationwide.

The ZNA and the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ), form the ZDF whose mandate is to provide security to the territorial integrity and national interests of Zimbabwe.

In line with the secondary roles of the ZDF, the organisation is mandated to contribute to national economic, industrial and technological development, undertake community assistance programmes, provide support to civil ministries and parastatals as well as fulfil international obligations and responsibilities with regard to international treaties and other states in the field of support operations, collective security, confidence and security building measures and humanitarian relief activities.

In its day-to-day operations, the ZNA focuses on manpower development whereby the force focuses on training in both military and non-military courses to equip its members with relevant skills and attitudes to enable them to combat the day-to-day challenges posed during both war and peacetime.

Since its formation in 1980, the ZDF has managed to do various projects beneficial to the community and its members too.

The ZDF through 1Infantry Brigade Engineer Squadron in the Matabeleland region has managed to do various community assistance projects which include refurbishing Usher Institute High School in Matabeleland South, Landa John Nkomo High School in Matabeleland North, Esiphikeni Secondary School in Matabeleland North and Sengezani Bridge in Matabeleland North among other projects which are being carried out countrywide.