Zimbabwe Army's Role Is To Serve The People

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe with his military forces. The ruling ZANU-PF party negotiated with the opposition to form a national unity government in Harare., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

‘Army’s role is to serve the people’

Thursday, 04 April 2013 00:00
Herald Reporter

The Zimbabwe National Army’s role is to defend the interests of the majority and communities should a war be waged by the enemy.

Commander of 2 Brigade, Brigadier General Francis Mutisi said this after a Brigade Administration Area exercise held at Muchapondwa village under Chief Musana yesterday.

The BAA code named Operation Chadyamukonde begun on April 1 and was graced by Chief of Staff General Staff, Major General Martin Chedondo, Zimbabwe Staff College instructors and students drawn from Sadc countries among them South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Angola.

The programme saw more than 400 people being treatment.

“When conducting army training exercises in communities, it is important they note that our role is to defend them, our soil and heritage.

“When waging a war against the enemy, the community has a role to play so that we fight together for a common goal.

“Interaction with people is common since we fight wars where there are people.

“We treat people when they fall sick or are injured and we are expected to do so without segregation,” Brig Gen Mutisi said.

He said such training programmes concentrate on how an operation can be supported at a given time.

“An operation has to be supported from within and such training lessons are associated on how that has to be achieved.

“There are several operational segments which support those on the forefront but these situations allow army officers to relate theory to practice one is expected to do it in real situations,” Brig Gen Mutisi said.

Chief Musana, Mr Joel Nyarumwe hailed the programme and said it gives people a better picture of the country’s uniformed forces.

“Their presence is hailed and they should continue coming to support our people. Most people do not afford to go to hospitals where they are expected to pay consultancy fees.

“We appreciate the free medication they offer to villagers when they come and we welcome them as our children since they inform us in advance of what they intend to conduct in our area of jurisdiction,” Chief Musana said.