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Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) yesterday handed over four classroom blocks to two schools in Kwekwe as part of its Defence Forces Community Assistance week programme.

Two classroom blocks and an ablution block at Manunure Secondary school as well as two classroom blocks at Sally Mugabe Primary School were constructed by the defence forces after resources were mobilised by the two schools’ respective School Development Association (SDA).

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defence Mr Martin Rushwaya visited the two schools yesterday to hand over the facilities.

Parents at Manunure Secondary School raised $73 000 while those at Sally Mugabe Primary School raised about $80 000 for the projects at their schools.

Officially handing over the classroom blocks at Manunure Secondary School, Mr Rushwaya commended the partnership between the Ministry of Defence, parents and the School Development Associations.

“Parents at Manunure Secondary School and at Sally Mugabe Primary School funded the construction of the blocks while the Zimbabwe National Army provided skilled labour in the form of artisans,” he said.

Mr Rushwaya said the primary obligation of the ZDF is to defend the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and vital national interests.

He said the ZDF also has other secondary roles such as coming to the aid of communities in times of disasters and emergencies.

“This accounts for the defence forces critical role in the evacuation of the Tokwe Mukosi flood victims in 2014 and in some parts of the country during the past rainy season,” he said.

“The involvement of ZDF in the construction and rehabilitation of public facilities like roads, clinics and schools is yet another peacetime role that falls under their community assistance programme that is anchored on the understanding that successful community development cannot be a preserve of the respective government ministries and departments but requires concerted efforts by various departments and stakeholders.”

The 2017 ZDF assistance week programme started on August 7 and ends today.

The community assistance week is an annual programme that has seen the ZDF carrying out a number of developmental projects.—@pchitumba1.