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Felex Share, Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday highly commended the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) for being equal to the task of thwarting conspiracies by Western countries which are aimed at frustrating development in the country.

As such, the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said Government would work hard to improve the conditions of service for ZDF members who have demonstrated unquestionable loyalty to the country.

President Mugabe made the remarks yesterday while addressing tens of thousands of Zimbabweans and foreign dignitaries who gathered at the National Sports Stadium in Harare for the 37th Defence Forces’ Day celebrations.

The commemorations allow Zimbabweans to reflect and celebrate the key role played by the armed forces since the attainment of independence in 1980.

Said President Mugabe: “The secure environment that we have enjoyed as a country has not been a walk in the park for the Defence Forces. While our detractors work round the clock to frustrate our development, the ZDF has always been alert to these manoeuvres and being equal to the task, they have succeeded in overcoming any such challenges. The ZDF have gone beyond just fulfilling their constitutional obligation of defending Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Together with other arms of security, they have ensured that at all times peace prevails.”

On improving conditions of service for ZDF members, President Mugabe said the Military Salary Concept should be considered for re-instatement.

The concept, which was stopped following the dollarisation of the economy, sought to reward general duty soldiers.

“In an effort to improve conditions of service for ZDF, Government has provided staff with vehicles and other equipment,” President Mugabe said.

“However, a lot is still to be done to provide the forces with medical support, housing, salaries and allowances. These are some the issues they raise. The salaries they earn are not enough, as the economy improves their salaries will improve.

“But we can’t say because our salaries are low we won’t perform our national duty. They must continue working for the nation, maintaining peace and order in the country. There will come a time when the the economy stabilises and the Government will increase their salaries.

“It is also strongly recommended that the housing projects in Dzivarasekwa, Kumalo and Zimbabwe Military Academy, aimed at improving housing provision for the ZDF, be resuscitated.”

President Mugabe said together with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the ZDF had curbed illegal border crossing activities and smuggling of contraband.

The two establishments, he said, had also partnered in the Operation Hakudzokwi in the Chiadzwa diamond fields.

“The ZDF corps of engineers conducted de-mining operations on the south-eastern Mozambique border in the Dumisa and Gwaivhi areas,” the President said.

“The ZDF, in de-mining the country’s borders of anti-personnel landmines received invaluable assistance from two cooperating non-governmental de-mining organisations, the HALO Trust and Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA).”

The HALO Trust is working on the Mukumbura, Chisecha and Rushinga areas, while NPA is in the Cecil Kopje and Forbes Border Post minefields.

President Mugabe said de-mining was a risky task. “The land mines which were planted detonate if you step on them,” he said.

“They are all over the country so there is a lot of work still to be done. But then we don’t know exactly where the Rhodesians planted them. These are the problems we are facing. To find them you have to use some machines. Finding the land mines is a very tedious job that’s why it’s still ongoing.”

President Mugabe said to meet the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personal Landmines 2025 deadline, concerted efforts were needed. He said the ZDF had also enlisted the services of two other de-mining NGOs, Mines Advisory Group and Apopo.

The two organisations were expected to begin operations before the end of the year. He hailed the ZDF for embarking on several community assistance projects.

“During the Cyclone Dineo induced floods, ZDF deployed health personnel and helicopters to search and rescue marooned villagers in Tsholotsho, Gwanda, Masvingo, Zvimba and Mt Darwin,” President Mugabe said. “In 2015 to 2016, the ZDF were also active in the movement of drought relief maize to needy areas.”

On the international scene, President Mugabe said, the ZDF continued deploying officers to regional and international peace support operations under the auspices of Sadc, African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN).

He said in light of this, six ZDF officers were in Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan (Darfur) and South Sudan.

“At the regional level, members of the ZDF participate in regional training exercises and other military exchange programmes, as part of their commitment to the operationalisation of the Sadc Standby Brigade,” President Mugabe said.

This year’s commemorations were held under the theme: “Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Resolute in Defence of National Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity for Socio-economic Development.”