Harare — Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Mugabe, has promoted 21 Zimbabwe National Army officers to the ranks of colonel and brigadier-general with effect from April 21.

Six men were promoted to the rank of brigadier-general while 16 assumed office as colonels from being lieutenant-colonels.

Four of the new colonels are women and their promotion brings to eight the number of females holding such a rank in the army.

It is also the highest rank presently held by any woman in the service.

The new brigadiers-general are Eliah Bandama (Commander One Brigade in Bulawayo), Emile Munemo (director of civil-military relations), and Chancellor Diye (Brigadier-General Administrative Staff at Army Headquarters).

Simpson Nyathi and James Murozvi are now brigadiers-general at the National Defence College while Paul Chima is now Commander of the Mechanised Brigade.

Among the new colonels are women officers Zvanyadza Machinjili, Getrude Dube, Chonaka Hlabangane and Nyara-dzai Javani.

Speaking after the conferment of the new ranks on the officers, the Comma-nder of the ZNA, Lieutenant-General Phillip Valerio Sibanda said the officers should continue displaying high levels of exemplary behaviour.

"You were promoted as a result of dedication and patriotism to the organisation and the nation.

"I hope that you continue to exhibit these factors in the offices you have assumed," he said.

Lt-Gen Sibanda said ZNA faced various challenges in the past, but had continued to deliver quality service.

In his acceptance remarks, Brig-Gen Nyathi promised to work hard for the development of the ZNA and the country.

"This is a very big milestone in our careers and we assure you that we accept this recognition and we will work hard for the betterment of the organisation and Zimbabwe," he said.