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Guest of Honour Colonel Rantham Moyo commander Bulawayo district presents a prize to the exemplary student Warrant Officer class two Pfunye Mapfumo of Recruit Training Depot. Looking on is Lt Colonel Bigboy Singo commandant Ordinance Transport Training School and regional manager of Moonlight Funeral Assurance Chenayi Nyamupfukudza during a graduation ceremony at Imbizo Barracks in Bulawayo yesterday

Whinsley Masara Chronicle Reporter
THE army must remain focused and not be swayed by developments on the political front, the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Bulawayo District Commander, Colonel Rantham Moyo, has said.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony at Imbizo Barracks yesterday, Col Moyo also said the economic challenges that are being experienced in the country are a passing phase.

He said soldiers should be thanked for remaining resilient, loyal, resolute and for maintaining peace and stability in the country for the past 36 years.

Col Moyo said the army must remain focused.

“A lot of activities are happening on the political front and you have to remain focused on your tasks in order to carry out your duties professionally. You have an obligation to safeguard the country’s gains of the revolutionary struggle and our territorial integrity against any forms of aggression for the successful implementation of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZimAsset),” said Col Moyo.

He said the ZNA is affected by the illegal sanctions imposed by Britain and her western allies.

Col Moyo said when the country’s economy is not doing well, equipping the defence forces including the procurement of vehicles becomes a challenge, hence the requirement to ensure proper management of the available resources.

“Army headquarters is aware of the various challenges you faced throughout the duration of your training. The problems are due to the current economic dispensation. Let me assure you that this is a passing phase and it will soon dawn and things will be back to normal,” he said.

127 students at the Ordinance and Transport Training School (OTTS) graduated in courses ranging from catering, equipment management and transport administration.

“The basic cookery course was aimed at producing cooks who can prepare a five course meal when called upon to do so. The fighting equipment does not win wars on its own. It needs to be complemented by healthy, fit and well fed soldiers. I want to urge the caterers to perform their duties well and make sure that the soldier receives well balanced meals timely,” said Col Moyo.