Harare — Zimbabwe has assumed chairmanship of the Sadc Defence Inspectorate Working Group, which is responsible for spearheading deeper military integration and co-operation amongst member states.

The organ was inaugurated in 2009 with South Africa at the helm. Major-General Engelbert Rugeje will represent Zimbabwe in the working group. Maj-Gen Rugeje is Inspector-General of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

Speaking at a ceremony where Zimbabwe accepted the leadership of the organ from South Africa, Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa urged the bloc's membership to strive for military excellence. He said it was critical for the working group to respond quickly if ever there was need to deploy the Sadc Standby Force.

"We hope that you will be able to effectively monitor compliance and maintenance of standards within the military component of the Sadc Standby Force," he said. Minister Mnangagwa hailed South Africa for its role in the military mechanism's formation.

"The terms of reference were drafted under the chairpersonship of South Africa," said Minister Mnangagwa. In his acceptance speech, Maj-Gen Rugeje said the group should strive to enhance the Sadc Standby Force's effectiveness.

He said Zimbabwe would work towards achieving the full objectives of the Defence Inspectorate Working Group. "It is critical for us as the DIWG to evaluate the implementation of the Sadc military capabilities as they relate to the effectiveness of the Sadc Standby Force.

"I reaffirm the commitment of Zimbabwe in general and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in particular to carry on the work of the DWIG," he said.