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The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) has realigned training of its human resources to actively respond to disasters and be responsive to climate change, which has become a constant threat to State and national security in contemporary times.

As the nation commemorates Defence Forces Day tomorrow, our reporter Columbus Mabika (CM) caught up with the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda (General Sibanda) to discuss some of the ZDF roles in modern times.

CM: In this era, all countries around the world are now being confronted by complex non-traditional threats. To what extent is the ZDF prepared to deal with the wide range of emerging threats such as terrorism, transnational organised crime, cybersecurity threats and insecurity related to the impacts of climate change?

General Sibanda: Our responses to the challenges we face are informed by a thorough analysis of the environment and learning from other military organisations in the region. Against this, we have reviewed training to deal with both traditional and non-traditional threats as we go forward. For example, at our university (Zimbabwe National Defence University), we have developed a new degree programme to cater for disasters.

There was an urgent need to ensure that military training for disaster response action is structured to meet the needs as dictated by the geography in various parts of the country. From the statistics provided, you will agree with me that the destruction caused by Cyclone Idai was beyond every Zimbabwean’s wildest imagination. 

In this regard, for example, at Zimbabwe National Defence University we have developed a Master of Science Degree in Disaster Management to deal with these problems going forward. When Cyclone Idai happened we were ill-equipped to deal with it and we learnt from there. This degree is a result of the lessons we learnt, therefore, we are continuously reviewing training at our various training institutions to ensure that we deal with the challenges we face.

CM: What role is being played by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in the development of the regional defence and security capacity to manage emerging threats?

General Sibanda: As you are aware, we belong to the SADC regional grouping and SADC has its own security architecture and we are part of that architecture. We have participated in a number of exercises as part of this security set-up. We have also pledged to SADC to deal with threats that may occur. We have also attended meetings that have taken place in the region on security matters because of the importance we have placed on the security in the region; security of the region means security for Zimbabwe.

CM: Recently, ZDF hosted an international golf tournament in Victoria Falls. What is the significance of this in terms of military sports development in the country and beyond?

General Sibanda: The ZDF is part of the regional and international military community. So basically the golf tournament was in fulfilment of the understanding that the ZDF is part of the larger military community in the world.

CM: When you took office, you intimated that you wanted to promote a “people’s Defence Force”. How far have you gone with that?

General Sibanda: We have done well in this regard in that we ensure that our recruitment comes across from the 10 provinces of the country. This entails we are leaving no place and no one behind.