ZIMBABWE has enjoyed peace since independence, thanks to the defence forces, which have unwaveringly protected the country, its people, national security and interests, and territorial integrity.
The defence forces, which consist of the army and air force, are the only lawful military forces in Zimbabwe, according to the Constitution.
They must be maintained as a disciplined military force, the supreme law says.
They are compelled by section 211(3) of the Constitution to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons and be non-partisan, of national in character, patriotic, professional and subordinate to civilian authority.
The men and women in uniform have acquitted themselves well in ensuring that peace reigns supreme and territorial integrity is maintained in our beautiful country.
They have also been deployed to peacekeeping assignments, such as the United Nations missions or other peace support missions for the African Union.
They have been unflinching even when the economy takes a knock. To them, defending the country comes first and everything else plays second fiddle.
However, such a commitment must be reciprocated by ensuring their welfare is catered for at all times.
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They need transport, accommodation and uniforms.
In his Defence Forces Day speech on Tuesday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa underscored his administration’s commitment to improving the conditions of service for members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
He said the Defence Forces Service Commission was engaged in a process to rationalise inter-rank salary differentials.
This is being done in tandem with efforts to finalise the implementation of the Military Salary Concept.
That must be expedited to boost morale in the force.
Mnangagwa said the government was accelerating the completion of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Referral Hospital at Manyame Air Base. Refurbishment, upgrading and modernisation projects of other medical facilities in cantonment areas were being accelerated, he said.
The President said the government was exploring innovative financing to address accommodation challenges faced by ZDF members.
Yearly, the defence forces are told of government’s commitment to addressing their welfare. But the wheels appear to be moving slowly.
We exhort the government to prioritise ZDF members, whose role has expanded beyond maintaining peace and defending the country’s territorial integrity.
Their role has expanded to helping during natural disasters.
When Cyclone Idai struck Manicaland, ZDF members were the first to react, rescuing marooned villagers.
As part of civil-military relations, ZDF has rolled out free healthcare in communities, built classroom blocks and bridges.
It is the peace we enjoy today which has seen President Emmerson Mnangagwa proclaiming at international forums that “Zimbabwe is open for business”.
Capital needs peace. It is a cowardly bird which flies to safer places where it expects to earn better returns.
As the men and women in uniform soldier on to provide peace and security, protect the country’s territorial integrity and its people, it must not be lost on us that maintaining high morale in their ranks must take precedence.
Lest we forget, the defence forces are our last line of defence hence their welfare must be uppermost on government's priorities.
