Government is aware of the constant and potential threats that face Zimbabwe and is making sure the country is ready to repel such attacks, Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi has said.
Speaking to journalists in Harare yesterday ahead of the Defence Forces Day commemorations today, Minister Sekeramayi commended neighbouring countries, who rebuffed efforts by the British to attack Zimbabwe using their territories.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day main commemorations will be at the National Sports Stadium. “If you look at our country, historically, after a long and bitter liberation struggle, we became independent in 1980, there were remnants of the Rhodesian regime who were trying to destabilise us,” said Minister Sekeramayi.
“However, through the effectiveness of the political leadership under President Mugabe, the effectiveness of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, we have had a situation of peace and tranquillity in the country.”
Minister Sekeramayi said former colonial masters had not forgiven Zimbabwean armed forces for the loss during the liberation struggle. “They will always try to undermine our independence,” he said. “So that potential threat is always there. As you know, the British government, under the then Prime Minister Tony Blair, were contemplating invading Zimbabwe.
“They went on to ask for land to attack from. They asked South Africa, Mozambique, and fortunately these brothers of ours rejected the adventure by Tony Blair.”
Minister Sekeramayi said although Zimbabwe was still feeling the effects of sanctions, Government would continue making sure that the country was food secure. state media
