President Mnangagwa accompanied by the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa arriving at Rufaro Stadium for the Defence Forces celebrations
By Staff Reporter
HARARE – President Mnangagwa yesterday saluted the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) for their unwavering role in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence over the past 45 years, describing them as a “disciplined and trusted People’s Army.”
President Mnangagwa who is the Commander In Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces was accompanied by the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, together with Vice Presidents and senior government officials.
Addressing thousands of citizens, service chiefs, diplomats and dignitaries gathered at Rufaro Stadium for the 45th Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day celebrations, the President said the ZDF had evolved into a modern force capable of confronting both conventional and emerging security threats.
“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces remain beacons of our nation’s peace, security and socio-economic development,” he said, citing this year’s theme: “Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Guaranteeing Peace and Stability for the Attainment of Vision 2030.”
President Mnangagwa applauded the military’s expanded role in supporting civilian authorities, including disaster response, drug and substance abuse prevention, climate change mitigation, border control and humanitarian assistance. He singled out the ZDF’s search-and-rescue operations during last season’s floods in Gokwe, Domboshava, Tokwe-Mukosi and Sanyati.
“Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy of none. However, as an independent and sovereign country, we will never sacrifice our legitimate rights and interests or our peace and security,” the Head of State said, reaffirming Harare’s commitment to regional and global peacekeeping under the auspices of SADC, the African Union and the United Nations.
Currently, Zimbabwean troops are serving in peace support operations in South Sudan, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Abyei and Ethiopia.
On international cooperation, the President highlighted ongoing training exchanges with defence partners including China, Russia, India, Nigeria, South Africa and several other countries. Zimbabwe will also host the forthcoming SADC Peace Support Operations Field Training Exercise and related maritime and aviation drills.
Domestically, the President announced progress on improving the welfare of service personnel through the Military Salary Concept, institutional accommodation programmes, and procurement of new transport fleets. He also confirmed accelerated works at the ZDF Referral Hospital at Manyame Air Base and other cantonment health facilities.
Zimbabwe has also recorded significant achievements in demining, with only 4 percent of minefields remaining. Manicaland Province was recently declared mine-free following the clearance of the Rusitu–Muzite Mission minefield.
In honour of the liberation struggle, the President said Government was building a monument and health centre in Mozambique’s Massinga District in memory of the late national hero General Josiah Magama Tongogara, with similar projects planned at former ZIPRA bases in Angola.
The President further praised the ZDF’s community projects across the country, including 29 schools, four clinics, registry offices, veterinary centres, dairy infrastructure and traditional courts.
“As I conclude, I once again salute the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for their selfless commitment to safeguarding our national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests,” President Mnangagwa declared to thunderous applause.
The commemorations came a day after Heroes Day, where fallen liberation war heroes were honoured.
