The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
The Zimbabwe National Army received praise for the humanitarian work and assistance the organisation rendered during Cyclone Idai induced tropical storm which ravaged the eastern highlands in March 2019.
The ZNA Commander Lieutenant-General Edzai Chimonyo said the ZNA’s timeous intervention during the Cyclone Idai disaster helped to spruce up its image. Lieutenant-General Chimonyo said this at the hand-over take-over ceremony of Brigadier-General Joel Muzvidziwa and his successor Brigadier-General George Chitsva at the Herbert Chitepo Barracks in Mutare last year. “When Zimbabwe was hit by the devastating Cyclone Idai, the timely intervention by the formation under the command of Brigadier-General Muzvidziwa redeemed the Zimbabwe Defence Forces’ image in the eyes of the nation and even the international community.
“Manicaland bore brunt of the disaster from the onset and the 3 Infantry Brigade, under leadership of Brigadier-General Muzvidziwa, came to rescue of the affected communities in a very big way.
“While no kind of assistance could be good enough to provide replacement for the lost lives and destroyed property, the tireless effort made by the Infantry 3 Brigade went a long way in restoring lost hope and rebuilding confidence among the survivors of that unfortunate calamity,” he said. The cyclone, whose effects were most severe in Chimanimani and Chipinge, also affected parts of Bikita, Gutu, Zaka and Chiredzi districts in Masvingo province.
Communities in the affected areas saluted the Zimbabwe National Army for the patriotic and professional service exhibited during operations to rescue Cyclone Idai victims.
“We salute the ZNA for the patriotic and professional service it displayed during the operation to assist victims of Cyclone Idai.
“Let us join hands in mitigating the impact of the cyclone,” said one of the villagers, Mr Ananias Mukushwa.
Working in direct support of other national emergency services, the ZNA facilitated deliveries of food aid and non-food items to villagers in Masvingo, Chimanimani and Chipinge.
This was not the first time that the ZNA had assisted communities in such disasters. In the past, the Organisation assisted in disasters such as Cyclone Eline and the Tugwi Mukosi floods in 2001 and 2011, respectively.
