Published by the government of Zimbabwe
21 November 2008
Harare — PLANS to establish a National Defence College, the highest specialised professional military learning centre, are at an advanced stage with land and some buildings already set aside for the purpose, President Mugabe has said.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony of the 21st Joint Command and Staff Course at the Zimbabwe Staff College in Harare yesterday, Cde Mugabe said the ever-changing geopolitical environment, warfare tactics and technological innovation demanded a systematic review of defence systems.
"I am equally informed that plans to establish the National Defence College, the highest specialised professional military learning institution, have reached an advanced stage," said Cde Mugabe, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
"The University of Zimbabwe and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe have already donated land and some buildings for the purpose. This will complement the efforts of this institution at higher levels."
Graduates from the Zimbabwe Staff College would be involved in the formulation of the grand strategy to establish the National Defence College and efficient utilisation of national resources necessary to implement the system.
President Mugabe said the professional development of military officers was largely attributed to the strategic partnership and association existing between the Zimbabwe Staff College and the University of Zimbabwe.
As an associate college of the UZ, the Zimbabwe Staff College has so far successfully run five intakes of the Diploma in Defence, Adult Education with 93 students graduating.
It has also had two intakes of the Diploma in Defence and Security Studies with 51 officers graduating while 16 graduated from intake 1 of the Bachelor of Adult Education (Defence Education) degree.
"The second intake of the degree programme is still running. It is hoped that a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Defence and Security Studies would be introduced soon," President Mugabe said.
He expressed gratitude to UZ Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura for providing the necessary professional guidance and support to the college.
"I am reliably informed that plans are at an advanced stage to enhance the Joint Command and Staff Course curriculum with academic modules in Defence and Security Studies. This is in line with development trends at various staff colleges worldwide, the main aim being to develop a versatile officer who can be employed in any sector within and outside the defence forces," he said.
The Joint Command and Staff Course Number 22, which starts at the beginning of 2009, would be the first course to implement the new syllabus.
President Mugabe said he had no doubt that the Zimbabwe Staff College would rise to the occasion in successfully implementing the syllabus.
The Joint Command and Staff Course Number 21 began on January 14 this year and culminated in yesterday's graduation ceremony.
The course had an initial enrolment of 57 officers but 56 graduated yesterday after one dropped out due to poor performance.
The officers were drawn from the Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Prison Service, the President's Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
President Mugabe said the participation of non-military officers was testimony of Government's recognition that the defence of the country's sovereignty was not a matter for one institution.
There were 11 military officers from Sadc countries, which President Mugabe said was an indication of Zimbabwe's spirit of regional integration and co-operation.
"It is no mere coincidence that of the 56 officers graduating today, 11 are from the sub-regional countries of Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia. These are deliberate efforts by us to foster mutual co-operation and cohesion among our regional forces in order to build capacity to counter any potential threat aimed at destabilising our sub-region," he said.
He applauded the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for championing Government's policies towards gender equity by including three female officers on the course.
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The defense of the integrity of the territory is issue number one, first. And, how is the Zim-Parisian, MT, going to "stop" such a glorious venture? Perhaps with some French fries, or, as the Yanks called them when the French had the nerve to cross them, Freedom fries; only, in this context, coming from the super sprinter MT, it would neo-imperialist boto bata.
As, for the hospitals, bla, bla, bla, blame the reactionary circles in the West, if you care to.
Highest Regards.
It seems like such a joke for Mugabe to do this, when in fact, if any country wanted to wage war on Mugabe and his thugs, the invading force would probably take Mugabe out in about 15 minutes.
Is it a permissible inference, given the circumstantial evidence in your posting, that you would support the ASSASINATION of the Great Fighter, Cdr. MUGABE?
I hope not; for if you are, you are violating the laws of Zimbabwe, and the Cdr. has a long, unforgiving memory.
Kindest Regards.
Yes, it would be a permissable inference that I would support the assasination of coward Mugabe, and as for violating the laws of Zimbabwe, coward Mugabe has violated not only the laws of Zimbabwe, but also that of the Genieva convention.
But of course, you don't believe murder, rape, starvation and the like, are crimes when committed by coward mugabe and the zanu pf low-lifes.
It's a good thing that change is coming soon to Zimbabwe, and Mugabe and cronies will be dispensed to the garbage heap of history.
Sir, may I remind you that your "support of the assasination of coward [sic] Mugabe" is a crime?
Concretely, state at the requisite level of specificity the provision of Zimbambwe law that provides for the ASSASINATION of anyone who ALLEGEDLY violates "the Geneva Convention."
Dude, you are styling in zone looney: This site cannot, as a MATTER OF LAW, post your post, which violates not only the regulations of this site, international public law and, more significantly, the laws of Zimbabwe.
Consequently, I eagerly anticipate an authoritative act by the proprietors of allafrica.com AGAINST YOU, DUDE.
Highest Regards.
Wake up man. Everyone wants coward Mugabe dead.
There is nobel intention in wanting the old man ended.
Coward Mugabe dead, means more Zimbabweans will not lose their lives, and may I remind you that coward Mugabe is not the true head of state. He is in fact a dictator, who was not democratically elected.
Now, instead of looking in books to find a string of words you would not normally use on your own, (and which do not make sense by the way), start by admitting the truth to yourself, and your fellow Zanu PF chongololos. Your days are numbered, and a democratic Zimbabwe awaits the peaceful and deserving masses.
"And, how is the Zim-Parisian, MT, going to "stop" such a glorious venture?" - it would be quite simple I would have thought.
In a GNU, Tsvangirai controls the Ministry of Finance. It is the constitutionally enshrined responsibility of the Finance Ministry to present the Government's budget to Parliament for its approval. If there are no funds in that budget for military expenditure of this nature then that is the end of the matter. The days of the RBZ (which falls under the Ministry of Finance) circumventing the budget would be over and with some discipline in government expenditure inflation would start to recede and the lives of Zimbabweans would start to improve.
Do you need further clarification or are you so enthralled with your own verbosity that we can leave it at this?
How on earth can this be justified? Hospitals, schools, water, power, roads - all completely down the tube and Mugabe spends money on this! If the GNU ever gets off the ground, Tsvangirai will need to put a stop this nonsense.