President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced several initiatives to better the welfare of Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) personnel.
In his address at the 44th anniversary of the Defence Forces Day at Rufaro Stadium in Harare on Tuesday, 13 June, Mnangagwa, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the ZDF, said at least 3,000 housing units will be constructed for the defence forces, among other non-monetary benefits. He said:
An array of strategies is underway to improve the welfare of members of our defence forces.
Non-monetary incentives and benefits such as civil service housing loans and the civil service vehicle purchase scheme have been extended to members of the defence forces.
Further, my government has expanded the transport fleet for the defence forces, through the procurement and delivery of an assortment of vehicles.
Over and above housing units that are ready for occupation, the Government will soon be embarking on the construction of 3,000 housing units for members of the ZDF.
This is part of the comprehensive programme by my Administration to increase affordable housing stock throughout the country.
This is part of the comprehensive programme by my administration to increase affordable housing stock throughout the country.
The government will ensure that all military hospitals and other health institutions have modern equipment and adequate medicines. He said:
Similarly, healthcare for members of the defence forces is of critical importance for their general upkeep.
My government is committed to making sure that all military hospitals and health institutions have requisite modern equipment and adequate medicines.
The construction of the Defence Forces Referral Hospital at Manyame Air Force Base is being accelerated.
The government is known to prioritise the welfare of members of the ZDF, providing them with preferential treatment compared to other state employees. This includes ensuring that ZDF personnel are among the first to receive their salaries.
In 2017, the military played a pivotal role in the transfer of power, as army tanks were deployed into the streets of central Harare.
This ultimately forced the then-president, Robert Mugabe, to step aside and allow Emmerson Mnangagwa to assume the presidency.
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