Zimpapers Logo

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces has continued to fulfil its mandate of providing security to the nation despite facing numerous challenges as a result of the illegal sanctions imposed by the West, Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi said yesterday. He was speaking at a graduation ceremony of 26 officers attending the Junior Staff Course (Number 30) drawn from Zimbabwe, Namibia and Mozambique at the School of Academic and Staff Training at Manyame Air Base.

“The graduation of Junior Staff Course Number 30 is taking place at a time when Zimbabwe’s economy is still recovering from the negative effects of the illegal sanctions imposed on us by our detractors. The sanctions were aimed at crippling all sectors of our society, particularly Government institutions, with the hope that the people of Zimbabwe would revolt against their democratically elected Government.

“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces was obviously not spared from these sanctions as our detractors aimed at crippling their operations through non-supply of arms and spare parts while at the same time calling for the so called security sector reform.

“It is encouraging to note that despite facing these challenges the ZDF continued to fulfil its mandate of providing a credible defence capability for the nation and training its members as evidenced by the graduation ceremony we are witnessing here today. I would like to commend the ZFF for remaining resolute and dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in the country,” he said.

Minister Sekeramayi said staff training was a critical component of achieving the ZDF’s goals by keeping them abreast with latest developments. He also commended the ZDF for collaborating with neighbouring countries in the region in training personnel.