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Columbus Mabika, Herald Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) will continue to work with chiefs and other traditional leadership in relevant areas to foster national development, ZNA Chief of Staff (General Staff) Major General Kasirai Tazira has said.
Speaking during a traditional leaders’ day at Chief Bushu homestead in Shamva on Thursday, Maj Gen Tazira said traditional leaders were a vital component of Government and were recognised by the Constitution.
The ZNA annually, throughout all provinces, engages chiefs on the day to discuss developmental aspects.
“As a people’s force, we will continue to engage and work with chiefs and traditional leaders in the quest to develop our God-given motherland.
“Chiefs facilitate development by ensuring implementation of service delivery and development strategies earmarked for communities by the Government,” he said.
Maj Gen Tazira said chiefs play an integral role in promoting and upholding the cultural values of communities and promoting family values.
He said the ZNA, through its constitutional mandate of aiding civil communities during peacetime, would not hesitate to provide skilled manpower and construction artisans for any projects that chiefs wanted fulfilled.
Turning to national security, Maj Gen Tazira said the ZNA together with other sister security agencies would remain alert to any possible threats to ensure a conducive environment safe for development and investment.
Commander ZNA Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Benedict Runodada, called on chiefs to take a leading role in the fight against vices affecting their communities.”
“Today our societies are crippled by many issues that have killed prospects of many young lives. Traditional leaders have a role to ensure that there is an end to drug and substance abuse in your areas. As the army we will always help you,” he said.
Brig-Gen Runodada said the army would continue to ensure that the needs of chiefs were met.
Chairman of the Provincial Chiefs Council Mashonaland Central, Chief Chinheza Matsiwo, said traditional leaders welcomed initiatives by the ZNA.
“We would like to thank the army for its work for the people in our communities.
“In recent years several schools have been built in this province by the ZNA, this is just enough to testify to their work. Today they continue to build us several clinics among other infrastructure projects across this country,” he said.
Online Reporter