By Shadreck Gurenje

 President Mnangagwa presided over the hand over and takeover parade of the outgoing Zimbabwe Commander Defence Forces General Valerio Sibanda and incoming commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Emmanuel Matatu.

President Mnangagwa who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces described the outgoing CDF General Sibanda as dedicated commander who has consistently served the nation with integrity, loyalty and patriotism.

“The outgoing Commander, General P.V Sibanda has served our great nation in the military, in different capacities from 1974 to date, a period of 51years. Throughout his career, General Sibanda has always demonstrated unflinching loyalty and patriotism as well as unparalleled discipline and professionalism both as a soldier and son of Zimbabwe. He has consistently served with integrity, exhibiting ethics and values that are worthy of emulation by the rank and file across the Defence Forces,"said President Mnangagwa.

To the Incoming Commander General Emmanuel Matatu, President Mnangagwa urged the General to continue maintain the discipline and professionalism that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is renowned for and ensure that continuity prevails.

“To the incoming Commander, General Matatu, I want to first congratulate you on your promotion and appointment to the post of Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. I am confident that you are equal to the task and that you will use your vast experience to effectively and professionally lead the ZDF as was the case with your predecessor.

“I urge you to continue maintaining the discipline and professionalism that the ZDF is renowned for and ensure that there is continuity of the programmes and plans that your predecessor has been undertaking," said President Mnangagwa.