The Sunday News
Leonard Ncube in Hwange
THE Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has embarked on a robust retraining of its members to acquaint them with modern economic and political trends ushered in by the new Government.
This was said by Colonel Edgar Dube from HQ 1 Infantry Brigade in Bulawayo when he officiated at the graduation of 90 soldiers who completed a five-month internal training on contemporary military technology and concepts at 1.2 Infantry Battalion in Hwange last week.
He said ZNA was now actively involved in economic and community development as he assured that challenges being experienced in the country were temporary as the economy would be back on track.
“This training equips members to diligently execute their duties. You visited Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls International Airport and these visits gave you insights into the socio-economic and environmental development ensuing in the country ushered by the new dispensation.
“You graduates are now better positioned to appreciate the economic reforms and programmes being implemented by the Government and the programme in question is the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP). As an organisation we are helping in the economy like in Command Agriculture hence we are developing a robust soldier capable of contributing to the economy,” he said.
Col Dube said the course started at a time when opposition parties unsuccessfully attempted to destabilise the country soon after the harmonised elections.
He said the General Squad Drill and Small Arms Course 1.2 Infantry Battalion Course Inf10 (1) 111/18 course equips members with the requisite attitude, knowledge and skills to remain exemplary and disciplined throughout their military career.
“As ZNA we have a legacy of being disciplined. You will recall that the course commenced just after the harmonised elections when some rogue elements from opposition parties led by MDC Alliance attempted to cause anarchy in the country. Those disturbances didn’t in any way affect the activities of the course as all the 90 students are graduating today as this is a career course,” he said.
Col Dube said ZNA requires members who are loyal, disciplined, honest, patriotic and dedicated to duty.
The course covered civil military relations, field craft, platoon weapons, range work, peer education, first aid, foot and arms drill and AK-47.
Students, 14 of them females from the Zimbabwe Women Services, were drawn from all ZNA formations and units from private to corporal ranks. Col Dube urged female members to embrace gender initiatives and attend various courses that are offered in the organisation.
Present were 1.2 Infantry Battalion Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Godfrey Mutsadyanga, senior officers from ZRP and ZPCS, National Prosecution Authority, Judicial Services Commission officers, Hwange District Administrator Mr Simon Muleya and Hwange residents.
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