The newly appointed Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi, has been officially conferred with his insignia of rank, pledging his unwavering commitment to safeguarding Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, peace, and territorial integrity.
The insignia was presented by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander, General Emmanuel Matatu, who implored the military leadership to continue upholding the values of unity, discipline and professionalism within the ranks.
“The promotion from Major General to Lieutenant General is testament to your dedication, hard work and unwavering commitment to our nation’s defence and security. I am greatly honoured to confer upon you this prestigious rank, recognising your leadership and strategic vision. I also wish to express my genuine appreciation to His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, for promoting you to the esteemed rank and appointing you the Commander Zimbabwe National Army,” General Matatu said.
“This is a reflection of your expertise and the trust he has in you to lead our esteemed institution. General, your promotion is a celebration of years of service to the nation, your sacrifices and your unrelenting pursuit of excellence. You have consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and loyalty. You have been with the ZNA from its formation, serving in various capacities up to one-star before going.”
In his acceptance speech, Lieutenant General Tapfumaneyi pledged to honour the legacy of patriotism and service that defines the ZDF.
“I am alive to the expectations and responsibilities that go with this elevation. I am taking over the reins of an organisation with a rich legacy pinned by the ethos of patriotism, loyalty, diligence, accountability and integrity. These enduring values that we inherited from our time during the liberation struggle remain a torch whose leading light shall guide us into the future. The Zimbabwe National Army shall conform and support the Zimbabwe Defence Forces vision and that of the country at large to its fruition,” he said.
“To this end, I pledge to uphold the solid foundation you have laid, as my predecessor, for the Zimbabwe National Army, making it a formidable, hard-hitting force in defence of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe. As I conduct my duties in this new rank and appointment, I promise to pursue my duties within the mandate as guided by the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Defence Act Chapter 11:02.”
Lieutenant General Tapfumaneyi was appointed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Emmerson Mnangagwa last month in line with the Constitution and the Defence Act.
