Harare — Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Mugabe has promoted two Zimbabwe National Army Lieutenant Colonels to the rank of Colonel.

The two are Colonel Stanford Kufa, who was the Zimbabwe Armoured Car Regiment Commander at Inkomo, and Colonel Michael Chaminuka, who is the personal staff officer to Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga.

Col Kufa will, with immediate effect, be the Commandant of the Zimbabwe Military Academy in Gweru while Col Chaminuka will remain in his present post. Conferring the two with their new ranks, ZNA Chief of Staff Major General Martin Chedondo said the promotions came with a price and the price was added responsibilities.

"This is also the trust that has been shown by the Commander-in-Chief (President Mugabe) and I would like to urge you to discharge your duties in a loyal and professional manner," he said. Maj-Gen Chedondo said officers should also understand the political environment in Zimbabwe and the world at large. "We expect you to understand the Government, the party and you also need to understand that the country is at a crossroads. We are under an onslaught of the Western countries, imperialists with the help of their puppets, the MDC," he said. He said the country's independence was brought about by Zanu-PF through the formation of Zanu and Zapu. He said that legacy must be protected at all costs.

"Ensure that the legacy of Chimurenga lives on. Some of us might retire in the near future and you (all army officers) should ensure that Zimbabwe would never be a colony again. "It is you senior officers who should ensure that the legacy is protected," he said. Maj-Gen Chedondo said to all those who were not promoted, their time would come as the system recognised their value.

Col Chaminuka applauded President Mugabe, Gen Chiwenga and all senior army officials. He said they would carry out their duties diligently and would remain loyal. "We also understand the challenges facing the nation of which we are the custodians of its security. "We will, however, carry out our duties diligently," he said.