The Sunday News
Tendai Bhebe, Sunday News Reporter
A NEW commanding officer has been appointed to take over Plumtree-based 1:3 Battalion.
Lieutenant-Colonel Basil Nguruve took over from Lieutenant-Colonel Godfrey Nyasha Mutyamaenza who was been reassigned to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces headquarters in Harare at the beginning of the year.
The hand-over take-over parade at Mzilikazi Barracks in Bulawayo on Wednesday last week was witnessed by the Commander One Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General Augustine Chipwere. Speaking during the handover-takeover ceremony Lt-Col Mutyamaenza expressed gratitude to the support he received during his tenure since 2017. He said officers from the district have remained patriotic and professional during challenging times.
“I must also acknowledge that the unit also faced quite a number of challenges but most of these challenges were mitigated through the intervention of our superior headquarters. Allow me to commend the key brigade staffs here present for the day to day support they gave during my stay as the commanding officer. All the tasks given to me would have been a nightmare. Therefore I urge the brigade staff to continue with the good work and extend the support to the new incoming commanding officer,” he said.
Lt-Col Mutyamaenza urged members of the district Joint Operations Committee (JOC) to work well with the new commander.
In his acceptance speech, Lt-Col Nguruve promised to remain committed to discharging his duties and endeavour to do all his duties to the best of his ability.
“1:3 Reserve Battalion Force has over the years proved to be a well disciplined and an effective battalion as reflected by its successes during operations both externally and internally. I, therefore, take this as a great challenge as this calls me to continue raising the flag higher and higher to maintain the set standards. As I take command of this battalion I am fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead,” he said.
A parade was mounted by soldiers from 1:3 Battalion where the unit colours were handed over to the incoming commander. —@TendaiBhebe
