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Ray Bande in Nyanga

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) needs to craft strategies to combat non-traditional threats that include climate change and cyber-attacks, Defence and War Veterans’ Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said yesterday at the ministry’s strategic planning workshop here.

In her keynote address, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said: “As a Ministry, we need to think outside the box and formulate strategies to enhance the security and well-being of the people of Zimbabwe, its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests.

This is particularly so in light of the increase in non-traditional threats such as climate change, persistent and recurrent droughts, cyber security threats, asymmetric warfare, terrorism and many others.”

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said there was need to build on the gains made under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme as the country implements National Development Strategy.

“As the Transitional Stabilisation Programme comes to an end in December, Government embarked on the process of developing a successor programme, which is the National Development Strategy (NDS).

“As we proceed with the implementation of the NDS, we need to take stock of the achievements and challenges of the TSP.

“One of the success stories of the TSP plan is that it managed to reduce budget deficits. The Minister noted that currency instability had been a major problem in the transitional period, but that battle had been won.

“I am, however, pleased to note that this menace has been successfully dealt with. For about four months now in succession, the exchange rates have stabilised, rightly so during the lifespan of the TSP,” she said.

The workshop, which started on Tuesday and ended yesterday (Thursday), was attended by her deputy, Victor Matemadanda, top ZDF officials that include ZDF Commander General Philip Valerio Sibanda, Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Edzai Chimonyo and Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Elson Moyo among many others.