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Shelton Muchena Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) should consider gender equality in their recruitment criteria, Army Commander Lieutenant-General Phillip Valerio Sibanda has said. He said the country’s laws were sensitive to gender equality, hence the Zimbabwe Staff College logistics department should consider more women in their future courses. Lt-Gen Sibanda made the remarks at the graduation ceremony for Logistics Staff Course N0. 4, held at the Zimbabwe Staff College on Tuesday.

Only one female was enlisted for the course, which had 12 male officers. “The enrolment of one female student on a course of this nature is worrisome and undermines ZNA’s equal opportunity and diversity strategies,” said Lt-Gen Sibanda.

“l, therefore, urge those responsible for identifying candidates for these courses to increase the number of female officers in line with our national policy of gender inclusivity.” Lt-Gen Sibanda commended the logistics staff course, saying it offered his officers an opportunity to reflect on ZNA past operational experiences.

“This occasion shows how far we have come in the pursuit of our vision to have a professional, highly effective and constantly improving force, which Zimbabwe needs and deserves,” he said.

Lt-Gen Sibanda said it was imperative for women in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to be considered so that they would also remain at the peak of the ZDF operations and readiness to deal with threats.

The course was aimed at identifying how the logistics output contributes to operational combat service support. The key logistics areas covered included the logistics estimates, administrative plans and orders, road movement, planning, staff checks and dumping.