Sanyatwe takes ZNA command
ZIMBABWE Defence Forces (ZDF) together with other security services are duty-bound to continue providing security and a peaceful environment for the nation to enable the gains achieved in turning around the economy to get more traction, Commander ZDF, General Philip Valerio Sibanda has said.
Giving a key note address during the hand over and takeover of Zimbabwe National Army command at Charles Gumbo Barracks, General Sibanda said, people of Zimbabwe have high expectations of a better life and security establishments must not allow mischievous elements to drag the nation backward.
Lieutenant General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe took over from Lieutenant General David Sigauke effective 20 October.
“Lieutenant General Sanyatwe you are taking over command of the army at a time when the Second Republic under the astute leadership of His Excellency, the President and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Dr ED Mnangagwa has made great strides in turning around the fortunes of our economy despite the illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the Americans and their Western partners,” he said. “The Zimbabwe National Army together with other security services are duty-bound to continue providing security and a peaceful environment for our people and country.
“This will enable the gains achieved so far in turning around the economy to gain more traction. The people of Zimbabwe have high expectations of a better life and we must not allow mischievous and misguided groups and individuals to drag our country into chaos in order to satisfy their handlers.
“I therefore do not need to overemphasise the importance of keeping the Zimbabwe National Army; professional, cohesive, united and in good order and discipline in order to provide the Services to the people of Zimbabwe as mandated by the Constitution.”
General Sibanda implored the entire ZNA rank and file to give Lieutenant General Sanyatwe maximum support so as to uphold the revered legacy of professionalism which the Zimbabwe Defence Forces are renowned for at home, regionally and beyond.
Accepting ZNA command, Lieutenant General Sanyatwe said it was an honour to rejoin the Zimbabwe Defence Forces after a 4year absence while appointed Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Tanzania.
“I want to acknowledge that the diplomatic assignment gave me a rare opportunity to interact and enhance cooperation with the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces. It is therefore an honour for me to continue with the work that my predecessor, Lt Gen D Sigauke has done in the development of the Zimbabwe National Army in pursuit of our constitutional mandate of protecting Zimbabwe, its people, national interests and territorial integrity,” he said.
He called upon members of the ZDF to continue supporting Government programmes of transforming Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income society by 2030. “I’m sure that you are alive to the fact that our country is on the economic recovery path with Government having set the National Development Strategy 1 and 2 economic blue prints to revitalise the economy with the ultimate aim of attaining Vision 2030.
“These efforts are bearing fruit as signified by a sustained growth of the economy in spite of the illegal and heinous economic sanctions imposed on our country by the USA, Britain and their allies,” he said.
Handing over command, Lieutenant General Sigauke said activities by the army remain key to the realisation of collective national development aspirations and the attainment of am empowered prosperous upper middle-income economy by year 2030.