Mnangagwa promotes 27 Air Force officers

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, has promoted 27 officers from the Air Force of Zimbabwe. The promotions were made in accordance with Section 15 (1) (b) of the Defence Act, which empowers the President, on the advice of the Minister of Defence and upon recommendation of the commander, to promote or temporarily appoint officers to higher ranks.

The promotions include two Air Commodores, 11 Group Captains, and 16 Wing Commanders. Notably, one Air Commodore and one Group Captain are currently on duty outside the country. The announcement was made during a ceremony at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks in Harare, presided over by Air Marshal John Jacob Nzvede, Commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ).

Air Marshal Nzvede emphasized that the promotions are aligned with the country's Vision 2030 agenda, highlighting the importance of performance-based appointments. "The President and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Mnangagwa, has underscored the importance of performance-based appointments as one of the key enablers in attaining Vision 2030," he said. "It is against this background that the President and the Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces saw it fit to promote these air and senior officers."

Nzvede also stressed that promotions within the Air Force are strictly merit-based, leaving no room for mediocrity. "Having earned this promotion, it is a joyous moment for the elevated individuals and the organisation. The next step is to justify this elevation by performing to the expected standards," he added. "The Air Force of Zimbabwe and the nation are faced with several challenges that require ingenuity. I therefore challenge the promoted officers and all officers in the Air Force of Zimbabwe to go beyond the routine tasks to become innovative leaders."

Among the newly promoted officers, Air Commodore Morris Mujikwa expressed gratitude to the AFZ Commander and the leadership for his elevation. He pledged to lead with compassion and inspire his subordinates to serve the organisation and the nation diligently.

Group Captain Lysinda Mahere, another of the promoted officers, expressed her commitment to contributing to national development. "I want to thank our Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, for promoting me to the rank of Group Captain," she said. "I also promise that I will work hard for the nation to achieve its target of becoming an upper-middle-income society by 2030. Lastly, to my fellow women, I implore them to work hard as that is the secret behind every success."

The ceremony highlighted the role of dedicated leadership and innovation in strengthening Zimbabwe's defence capabilities and advancing the nation's developmental goals.