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'Jealously Guard Our Sovereignty'

The Herald (Harare)
DOCUMENT
14 August 2007
Posted to the web 15 August 2007
Harare
TEXT of speech delivered by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the
Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde Mugabe, on the occasion of the 27th Anniversary of
the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Celebrations at Rufaro Stadium in Harare yesterday.
YESTERDAY, we gathered to commemorate the National Heroes Day in honour of the
gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe, some of whom lost their lives in order
to liberate their motherland.
Today's celebrations continue that vein of rejoicing at the birth of our nation
while reminding us of the ever present need to keep watch and jealously guard
our sovereignty.
Today, we commemorate the 27th anniversary of the formation of the Defence
Forces, many of whom are living heroes of the liberation struggle.
These living heroes provide the linkage between the ideals of our revolutionary
past, and the present and future aspirations of the people.
For this reason, it is extremely difficult for anybody to try to separate the
ideals and aspirations of the Defence Forces from those of the people of
Zimbabwe.
Our security forces are truly forces of and for the people.
We are always mindful that in 1980, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces came into being
through the merger of the former warring forces of the Zimbabwe National
Liberation Army (Zanla), the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (Zipra) and
the Rhodesian forces.
This fusion of former enemies was a product of the policy of reconciliation
that the Zimbabwe Government proclaimed at Independence, a living testament of
nation building that we remain proud of to this day.
Over the years, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces have developed into a formidable
homegrown force that has defended the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
this country.
On the international arena, they have displayed a similar degree of absolute
professionalism and continue to maintain a posture of excellence in all
peacekeeping missions they participate in.
Our forces currently have 12 military observers in the Sudan, two staff
officers at the United Nations Mission Headquarters in the same country, two
military observers in Cote d'Ivoire, two military observers in Liberia and two
military observers in Nepal all under the auspices of the United Nations, while
one liaison officer is on the joint African Union mission in Burundi.
This continued participation of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in United Nations
missions is a strong indication of the abundant confidence that the world body
has in them.
Our Defence Forces also play a number of peacetime roles. For example, they
assist civil ministries and civilian authorities in order to enhance
socioeconomic development.
In fulfilment of this objective, the defence forces were seconded to the Grain
Marketing Board where they assisted in the distribution of grain and farm
inputs.
At Air Zimbabwe, Defence Forces technicians and engineers have assisted the
airline staff in carrying out various duties.
The Defence Forces have also assisted the Civil Aviation Authority where
firemen and fire tenders augmented the department's services.
In the Ministries of Science and Technology, Health and Child Welfare, and that
of Agriculture, the Defence Forces assisted in various capacities.
Over and above these very important interventions, the forces, in conjunction
with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, have
jointly undertaken border control operations to curb the rampant illegal
crossings and the smuggling of goods.
A notable contribution by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, which has the potential
of paving the way for broader facets of economic development in the country,
was in the field of landmine clearance.
The Defence Forces engineers have since moved to the Sango-to Crooks Corner
border post minefield, which, as most of us may be aware, lies in the Great
Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a game park jointly run by the governments of
Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.
The clearance of landmines in our part of the Park ties well with preparations
for the 2010 World Cup Soccer tournament scheduled for South Africa and should
help in boosting our foreign currency inflows.
Equally important is the role of the Defence Forces in Operation Maguta/Inala,
a food security operation that is designed to boost the country's food reserves
in the aftermath of the acute food shortages experienced in the past few years.
The two-fold mission of the Defence Forces is to help in producing food crops
and supporting the efficient distribution of farming inputs.
On its own part, Government continues to be responsive to the needs of the
Defence Forces with regard to their conditions of service.
Government introduced the Military Salary Concept allowances as a percentage of
basic salaries of members, with effect from January this year.
In addition, a comprehensive housing scheme providing all members of the
Defence Forces with decent accommodation was initiated at Dzivarasekwa
Barracks.
However, financial constraints have slowed down work at Imbizo Barracks and
Cranborne West.
The completion of these projects will see all members of the Defence Forces
finding space in institutional accommodation, where they will be readily
available for duty.
To enhance the State military preparedness, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces
continued to conduct various forms of local and external in-service training
for its members.
Several officers are, therefore, currently in China, Pakistan, Malaysia,
Greece, South Africa, Zambia, Angola, and Tanzania, while others are currently
undergoing various in-service programmes in the country.
Such training is meant to not only enhance their capability to defend Zimbabwe,
but also to contribute to regional and continental peace and security.
It is illustrative to note that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces are, just now,
preparing to contribute manpower to the Sadc Peacekeeping Force.
We are all aware that our people's desire to attain economic independence is
currently facing immense challenges.
Since we embarked on redistributing land to the indigenous majority, those who
wanted to continue controlling our natural resources not only imposed illegal
sanctions against the country, but also withdrew or influenced the withdrawal
balance of payments support, and have made every effort to isolate our country
from the international community.
More recently, we witnessed unprecedented increases in the prices of basic
commodities as part of efforts to increase the feeling of extreme hardship and
suffering among the general populace. Thankfully, Government moved in to stem
the price increases and thus neutralise the objective which was meant to cause
unbearable suffering on our people and push them into lawless and disorderly
conduct.
I wish to remind all those involved in such unscrupulous activities that the
security and welfare of this country and its citizens remains a top priority
for Government.
In this regard, I would like to thank the defence and security forces for
remaining loyal and dedicated to the maintenance of peace and tranquillity of
the country in these trying times.
In conclusion, I would like to invite our true and genuine friends to join
hands with us in investing in the abundant natural resources of this country.
The security and safety of their investments is guaranteed by the
professionalism and loyalty of our Defence Forces.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, it gives me great
pleasure to now invite you all to lead the nation in celebrating the 27th
anniversary of the forces.
Congratulations, Makorokoto, Amhlope!
I thank you.

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