Mugabe Pays Tribute to Zimbabwe’s Security Forces

President Robert Mugabe has praised the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) for defending the country against external aggressors and pledged to continue improving their conditions of service during remarks he made at a ceremony to mark Defence Forces Day on Tuesday.

The veteran guerrilla leader paid tribute to the dedication and steadfastness of the ZDF in defending Zimbabwe’s sovereignty in the face of what he said was an onslaught by the West and other enemies of the country.

The ZDF has been the bedrock of Mugabe’s political survival, with several retired army officers seconded to key parastatals enterprises and other state organs.

Retired army officers now head the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and Zimbabwe Prison Service.

“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces have also done us proud through their participation in peacekeeping operations in Africa and other parts of the world,” Mugabe said.

Zimbabwe currently has 12 military observers in southern Sudan, three in the Darfur region and two each in Cote d’Ivoire and Nepal.

During the ceremony, Mugabe conferred awards to more than 20 serving and retired ZDF officers in recognition of their service to the country.

Those honored included the Minister of Energy, Michael Nyambuya, CIO director-general Happyton Bonyongwe and ZEC chairperson George Chiweshe.

Mugabe promised to constantly review salaries and other perks for soldiers, police officers and airmen in a quest to cushion them from runaway inflation.

Source African Press Agency

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