The Commander of the Defence Forces, Constatine Chiwenga, congratulates President Robert Mugabe, during the inauguration ceremony at State House in Harare, Zimbabwe, Sunday, June, 29, 2008., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
ZDF is for every citizen: Chiwenga
August 14, 2013
Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces is apolitical and mandated to defend Zimbabweans regardless of their political affiliation, ZDF commander, General Constantine Chiwenga has said.
He slammed some politicians for trying to paint a picture that the army was political.“That is madness, it is not correct that the ZDF meddle in politics. The ZDF are there to defend every Zimbabwean regardless of their political dispensation,” Gen Chiwenga said in an interview on the sidelines of the defence forces celebrations at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
On security sector reforms, Gen Chiwenga said there was no need for reform since this was done soon after independence when three armies – Zanla, Zipra and the Rhodesian forces were integrated into a single army.
He said those calling for security sector reform now were advancing the agenda of regime change.
“There is nothing to reform. To satisfy who? And gain what?” asked Gen Chiwenga adding, “In 1980 we were three armies in this country. We integrated Zanla and Zipra forces with the Rhodesian army, that is when we reformed,” he said.
Gen Chiwenga hailed the defence forces for maintaining peace in the country and for courage and patience during hard times caused by the imposition of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe by Britain and its allies.
The nation, he said, was supportive of ZDF and urged the forces to keep up the good job they were doing in maintaining peace. He said since the elections were over, it was time for Zimbabweans to unite and focus their minds and efforts to reconstruct and build the country.
Namibian Defence Forces commander Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah hailed the relations that exist between the two armies. “ZDF and the Namibian Defence Forces are like sisters, we all shed blood during the liberation struggle and in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said. “It created a strong bond I am extremely delighted to be at this event.”
Air Force of Zimbabwe commander Air Marshall Perrance Shiri spoke of the importance of the defence forces days and said the air force has been effective and has managed to produce its own spares as well as service sophisticated equipment in the face of sanctions.
Outgoing Deputy PM Arthur Mutambara said the day was important for the country.
“National sovereignty must be defended, national interest must be defended, and peace must be defended. As we do so let us do so together. It is not a day to be against each other. All Zimbabweans must participate,” he said.
Chief of staff (joint operations and planning) Maj-Gen Nicholas Dube said: “The military is there to save the nation. This country’s independence was not given on a silver platter but some people shed blood for it, so Zimbabweans should remain resolute.”
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