The Sunday Mail
ON Tuesday, August 9, Zimbabwe commemorates Defence Forces Day, which recognises the role played by the uniformed forces in safeguarding the country’s peace and security. Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (OMK) spoke to The Sunday Mail (SM) on the significance of this day.
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SM: What is the role of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in nation-building?
OMK: The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) plays a very important role defending Zimbabwe’s independence, sovereignty and integrity. The Zimbabwe Defence Forces is mandated in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, Section 211, which states that its main function is to protect Zimbabwe, its people, its national security and interests, and its territorial integrity.
In terms of nation-building, ZDF ensures that there is peace and security in the country conducive for socio-economic development and prosperity. Given this background, the role of the ZDF in nation-building is purely security-related. You also understand that the ZDF is a multi-skilled force and also has an obligation of providing military assistance to authorities, ministries and communities. It is through its constitutional mandate that we see ZDF assisting communities in times of need through development projects such as bridges, clinics and schools.
This year, the ministry is handing over five completed infrastructure projects in various parts of the country, with the major one being Mberengwa District Hospital, where the ZDF constructed a fully-furnished maternity ward. The ZDF is also responsible for assisting communities during natural disasters such as floods and cyclones. You may recall that the ZDF played a significant role in search-and-rescue operations during Cyclone Idai.
SM: What would you say is the significance of the Defence Forces Day to the nation?
OMK: You will realise that the ZDF Day is celebrated to commemorate formation of the ZDF in 1980 and its achievements over the years. Formation of ZDF was an achievement where three distinct armies were integrated to form one united force with a single vision of defending Zimbabwe’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The ZDF was formed through a rigorous integration process of ZANLA, ZIPRA and the Rhodesian Army. You understand that two armies — ZANLA and ZIPRA — had fought for the Independence of Zimbabwe against the Rhodesian Army. On the basis of this background, there is every reason to celebrate this achievement every year.
However, after its formation in 1980, the ZDF has transformed itself to be a formidable force and the envy of many locally and internationally. Over the years, ZDF has participated in a number of peace-support operations under the auspices of the United Nations, such as in Angola and Somalia in the late 1990s. The ZDF was also very active in bringing peace and tranquillity in Mozambique from 1982 to 1992 when the country was under threat from RENAMO insurgents. It was already active in DRC to safeguard that country’s sovereignty when it was under siege from foreign-backed rebels.
ZDF also has a rich history of assisting local communities during disasters such as floods, road traffic accidents and droughts through the distribution of drought relief.
SM: How would you describe the relationship between the army and civilians?
OMK: The ZDF enjoys very cordial relations with communities in which they operate. In other words, they have a long history of interacting with the people. The relationship is further strengthened by assisting communities in socio-economic development projects such as construction of clinics, bridges and schools.
Over the years, the ZDF has built symbiotic relations with communities where both parties benefited from each other. Through interacting with communities, the Defence Force is able to gather intelligence which assists in making swift and appropriate responses to issues threatening national security.
The ZDF always stands ready to assist communities from disasters such as Cyclone Idai by conducting search operations. So the ZDF provides safety nets for communities during such calamities. Therefore, I would describe the relationship as one resembling the fish and water relationship.
SM: May you please outline some of the community development projects by the ZDF?
OMK: As I have earlier alluded to, ZDF has the responsibility of providing military assistance to all communities in the country.
This policy has seen the relationship of ZDF and various communities grow from strength to strength. As indicated earlier on, the ZDF is a multi-skilled entity that can undertake other tasks outside normal military duties. The ZDF is resourced with various artisans and skilled bricklayers, plumbers, carpenters and civil engineers.
Skilled personnel are employed to provide the required expertise and labour, while the communities provide the required financial and material resources for the projects. Communities in need of such assistance would approach the nearest ZDF offices with their requests, which will be attended to with the urgency they deserve in the shortest time possible.
SM: What is the relationship between ZDF and other countries in the region and beyond?
OMK: The Zimbabwe Defence Forces is guided by the National Defence Policy, which resonates well with Zimbabwe’s foreign policy. The Zimbabwe Defence Policy prioritises the country’s domestic stability and contribution to international peace and stability.
Zimbabwe pursues a forward-looking, non-aggressive and non-hostile defence policy based on maintenance of a minimum credible determined capability. The country does not harbour any aggressive intent and will not interfere in the internal affairs of any other country, including her neighbours. It is in this vein that the ZDF enjoys cordial relations with other Defence Forces in the region and beyond.
Zimbabwe being a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN), ZDF enjoys maximum cooperation with many of the countries and with these multilateral organisations. As a result, the relations cemented through the signing of various Memoranda Understanding on defence and military co-operation.
Usually these form the basis for co-operation in areas such as training exchange programmes, deployment of defence attachés, acquisition of military equipment and many others. Such co-operation has seen members of the ZDF enrolling in foreign countries’ military training institutions while their members also enroll in our military training institutions such as the Zimbabwe Staff College and the Zimbabwe National Defence University. The ZDF has such arrangements with almost all South African countries, including others outside the region. Some of the countries include Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Rwanda, China, Nigeria and Russia.
SM: What are the regional, continental and international responsibilities of the ZDF.
OMK: I have alluded to the membership of Zimbabwe to the SADC, AU and UN, which comes with duties and obligations to continue fostering international peace and stability. The history of the ZDF is well-documented in their active participation in conflicts in Mozambique, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo under the auspices of SADC and UN. They have also deployed military observatory roles in countries such as Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Ivory Coast and Mali, to mention a few.
The ZDF’s participation in these peace processes is based on the understanding that peace and stability are a result of collaborative efforts. It is also critical to note those appointed to these missions have acquitted themselves well. You may be aware of one member of the ZDF, Major Winnet Zharare, who was awarded the Military Gender Advocacy Award by the United Nations on May 26, 2022. She is also going to be honoured by His Excellency the President during commemorations on Tuesday.
SM: As women liberators do you think what you fought for has been achieved?
OMK: I believe that some of the issues have been achieved. We can say 75 percent of the issues that we discussed when we first met in Xai-Xai (Mozambique) to form the Women’s League have been met. We identified areas where we were discriminated against and the first one was education.
Women only had a 20 percent literacy rate, so it meant women were not allowed to go to school. Women were not allowed to own property and there were no equal opportunities for women. Women were not allowed in political spaces.
We are happy that these issues have been resolved and women are now treated and given the same opportunities as their male counterparts. Women are holding leadership positions even in the political space.
