News / Press Release
Notice to the Public on Wearing of Camouflage and/or Regalia Resembling Army Uniforms
28 Dec 2016 at 10:06hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe National Army has noted with grave concern that there is increased proliferation in the selling and wearing of military regalia, especially camouflage replicas by members of the public.
Resultantly, there has also been an increase in the number of armed robberies by criminals wearing clothes resembling military uniforms or replicas of camouflage.
There are also cases of individuals who are bent on tarnishing the image of the ZNA. The ZNA will guard against the misuse and abuse of its uniforms or any apparel resembling such.
It is against this background that the ZNA wishes to advise traders and members of the public that it is unlawful to sell and wear any military regalia or replica whether from Zimbabwe or any other country.
The definition of Army uniform means any article or articles of wearing apparel and includes a badge, button, braid, or insignia worn in association with any particular item or items of clothing and a tie.
Regarding artists who perform while putting on Army uniform, be advised that the wearing of any Army uniform or decorations for the purposes of any bona fide stage, film or television production or military representation is an offence in terms of section 99(2) (c) of the Defence Act (Chapter 11:02). The artists should have sought authority from Army Headquarters to do so.
Apart from this provision, the same Section also prohibits any member of the public from putting on any military regalia. The Section provides that "any person who without authority wears or uses any decoration supplied to or authorised for use by any member of the Defence Forces or other military forces or any decoration so nearly resembling such decoration as to be likely to deceive shall be guilty of an offence." Further to this, Section 99 (4) states that, "in any prosecution for any offence in terms of this Section relating to any act done without due or lawful authority, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved that accused had no such authority.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police will arrest culprits found in contravention of the above provisions using the standing statutes and cause their appearance before the courts of law for prosecution.
ALPHIOS MAKOTORE
Lieutenant Colonel
Director Army Public Relations
Resultantly, there has also been an increase in the number of armed robberies by criminals wearing clothes resembling military uniforms or replicas of camouflage.
There are also cases of individuals who are bent on tarnishing the image of the ZNA. The ZNA will guard against the misuse and abuse of its uniforms or any apparel resembling such.
It is against this background that the ZNA wishes to advise traders and members of the public that it is unlawful to sell and wear any military regalia or replica whether from Zimbabwe or any other country.
The definition of Army uniform means any article or articles of wearing apparel and includes a badge, button, braid, or insignia worn in association with any particular item or items of clothing and a tie.
Regarding artists who perform while putting on Army uniform, be advised that the wearing of any Army uniform or decorations for the purposes of any bona fide stage, film or television production or military representation is an offence in terms of section 99(2) (c) of the Defence Act (Chapter 11:02). The artists should have sought authority from Army Headquarters to do so.
Apart from this provision, the same Section also prohibits any member of the public from putting on any military regalia. The Section provides that "any person who without authority wears or uses any decoration supplied to or authorised for use by any member of the Defence Forces or other military forces or any decoration so nearly resembling such decoration as to be likely to deceive shall be guilty of an offence." Further to this, Section 99 (4) states that, "in any prosecution for any offence in terms of this Section relating to any act done without due or lawful authority, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved that accused had no such authority.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police will arrest culprits found in contravention of the above provisions using the standing statutes and cause their appearance before the courts of law for prosecution.
ALPHIOS MAKOTORE
Lieutenant Colonel
Director Army Public Relations
Source - Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore
