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Soldiers from 3.3 Reserve Force Battalion in Chipinge yesterday embarked on a clean-up of the town’s streets as part of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces community assistance Programme.

Luthando Mapepa Mutare Bureau
SOLDIERS from 3.3 Reserve Force Battalion in Chipinge yesterday embarked on a clean-up campaign of the town’s streets as part of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces community assistance programme.

The clean-up campaign programme was launched in Bulilima District in Matabeleland North by Defence Minister Dr Sydney Sekeramayi on Monday.

Chipinge’s clean-up programme started at the Town House where the soldiers were joined by the council staff.

It is expected to end today. Officer Commanding 3.3 Reserve Force Battalion, Lieutenant Whatmore Ziweni, said the clean-up campaign was part of the defence forces’ role to assist the community.

He said the programme would be done every August before the Zimbabwe Defence Forces commemorations.

“Every year before the country commemorates the Defence Forces’ Day, we carry out a community assistance programme and on this day, the ZNA will also unveil other social responsibility programmes which were carried throughout the year.

“We intend to clean-up the whole of Chipinge Town on this two-day clean-up campaign since as the army we believe that a dirty environment is also a threat to the community.

“We therefore urge civilians to always keep the environment clean,” Lt Ziweni said.

Speaking during the same event, Chipinge District Environment Officer Mr Wilbert Chawurura hailed the ZNA for leading by example in cleaning the environment.

“Everyone has a role to play in making sure our towns and homes are clean and what members of the ZNA did today will send a message to members of the public to always practise cleanliness.

“Though our local authorities face resource challenges in supplying refuse trucks and bins, we believe if the people get enough information like this clean-up programme, our environment will not be polluted again,” he said.

Chipinge assistant district administrator Mr Teddius Beto urged other stakeholders in the district to work together to end pollution.