Zimpapers Logo

10.09 –All is set for the Defence Forces Day celebrations at Rufaro Stadium. Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Mnangagwa will preside.

10.34 – Service Chiefs led by ZDF Commander General Phillip Valerio Sibanda have arrived.

10.37 – Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has arrived at Rufaro Stadium.

10.42 – Vice President Kembo Mohadi has arrived at Rufaro Stadium for the Defence Forces Day celebrations.

 

10.46 – Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga and his family have arrived.

11.00 – President Mnangagwa and First Lady Amai Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa have arrived at Rufaro Stadium for the Defence Forces Day celebrations.

President Mnangagwa and First Lady Amai Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa have arrived at Rufaro Stadium for the Defence Forces Day celebrations.
📹: Farai Dauramanzi

11.07 – Commander-In-Chief of the ZDF President Mnangagwa is now inspecting the Parade.

 

 

11.31 – Commander-In-Chief of the ZDF President Mnangagwa has granted the Parade permission to march past in slow and quick time.

 

11.36 – The ZDF Parade march past in slow time at Rufaro Stadium

 

12.04 – Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri is now giving her opening remarks.

12.17 – The Minister of Defence has finished giving her remarks and invites the Commander-in-Chief of the ZDF to give his remarks.

12.29 – The President acknowledges the presence of the South African Defence force top officials led by General Rudzani Maphwanya. The President says the choice of Rufaro Stadium evokes memories of Zimbabwe’s Independence Day celebrations which were held at the same stadium in 1980. The ZDF has remained firm and resolute against Western machination such as sanctions. Zimbabwe is not blind to security threats against the country. The President commended the ZDF for remaining resolute in defence of the country. Beyond the country’s border the country is working with China, Malaysia on exchange programmes. On welfare of the defence forces the civil service house and vehicle purchase schemes have been extended to members of the ZDF.

https://www.herald.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Speech-Defence-Forces-Day-August-2024-1.pdf

12.36 – On health the construction of the ZDR referral hospital at Manyame Air base ifs being expedited

12.38 – President applauds provision of free health care by ZDF which shows that its a people’s army. Commends the army for assisting the ZRP in policing the country’s border. MOU with Angola will see the construction of monuments in that country in honour of the country’s heroes and heroines buried there.

12.42 – Zimbabwe is committed to play its part in support of the SADC thrust to silence the guns. The President commends the army for seconding personnel to the United Nations to secure peace under the purview of the AU

12.44 –The President congratulates and thanks the ZDF for fulfilling its mandate of ensuring the country’s security and territorial integrity

12.45 –President concludes his address

 

12.54 –The Parade is now marching out of the Parade Square.

11.43 – Paratroopers from the ZDF perform their displays at the Defence Forces Day celebrations at Rufaro Stadium.