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Zimbabwe army rank is not 'sexually transmitted
2 hrs ago |
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Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga's wife, Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi, has clarified that her marriage to the retired Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander does not exempt her from observing military protocol, insisting that army seniority is determined by official rank rather than marital status.
Baloyi, a senior field-grade officer in the Zimbabwe National Army, made the remarks on Defence Forces Day while reflecting on her three-decade military career and responding to questions she said she frequently receives from members of the public.
"Do you salute your seniors as a VP's wife?" is one of the questions Baloyi said she often receives from people without a military background.
Her answer was unequivocal: being married to a Vice-President does not make her a Vice-President or confer on her the rank of a general.
"The wife of a VP is not a VP nor is she a general," Baloyi said, adding that military ranks are not "sexually transmitted".
She explained that military personnel salute based on the official rank of the person they are addressing, regardless of their family or marital connections.
"The military tradition is beautiful and unique, one salutes someone's official rank not according to who they are married to or related to," she said.
Baloyi illustrated her point by referring to photographs taken during the funeral parade of the late Brigadier-General Chaminuka on 17 July 2024.
She said she attended the funeral parade alongside other military officers to pay their respects to the deceased senior officer, while serving in her capacity as a colonel.
"I was standing at the funeral parade with other fellow officers to pay our last respects to our senior. I was standing as a Colonel not the wife of a VP, no special treatment whatsoever," she said.
Baloyi also used the occasion to reflect on her military career, which she said began in 1996 when she was 19 years old.
She said the Defence Forces had instilled in her discipline and emotional intelligence, qualities that helped her navigate difficult periods in her personal and professional life.
"I always get emotional as I always reflect on the journey I have travelled as a military officer for the past 30 years," she said.
Baloyi expressed gratitude to the military personnel who trained and mentored her throughout her career, saying their guidance had contributed to her becoming a senior officer.
She said she would choose a military career again if given the opportunity.
"I thank all those who trained and groomed me to be a senior officer that I am today. I am forever grateful," she said.
Her comments come amid continued public interest in the position of senior military officers who are also closely connected to Zimbabwe's political leadership, particularly where military protocol intersects with their family relationships.
Baloyi's clarification makes clear that, despite her position as the Vice-President's wife, she continues to operate within the military hierarchy according to her substantive rank as a colonel.
Baloyi, a senior field-grade officer in the Zimbabwe National Army, made the remarks on Defence Forces Day while reflecting on her three-decade military career and responding to questions she said she frequently receives from members of the public.
"Do you salute your seniors as a VP's wife?" is one of the questions Baloyi said she often receives from people without a military background.
Her answer was unequivocal: being married to a Vice-President does not make her a Vice-President or confer on her the rank of a general.
"The wife of a VP is not a VP nor is she a general," Baloyi said, adding that military ranks are not "sexually transmitted".
She explained that military personnel salute based on the official rank of the person they are addressing, regardless of their family or marital connections.
"The military tradition is beautiful and unique, one salutes someone's official rank not according to who they are married to or related to," she said.
Baloyi illustrated her point by referring to photographs taken during the funeral parade of the late Brigadier-General Chaminuka on 17 July 2024.
She said she attended the funeral parade alongside other military officers to pay their respects to the deceased senior officer, while serving in her capacity as a colonel.
"I was standing at the funeral parade with other fellow officers to pay our last respects to our senior. I was standing as a Colonel not the wife of a VP, no special treatment whatsoever," she said.
Baloyi also used the occasion to reflect on her military career, which she said began in 1996 when she was 19 years old.
She said the Defence Forces had instilled in her discipline and emotional intelligence, qualities that helped her navigate difficult periods in her personal and professional life.
"I always get emotional as I always reflect on the journey I have travelled as a military officer for the past 30 years," she said.
Baloyi expressed gratitude to the military personnel who trained and mentored her throughout her career, saying their guidance had contributed to her becoming a senior officer.
She said she would choose a military career again if given the opportunity.
"I thank all those who trained and groomed me to be a senior officer that I am today. I am forever grateful," she said.
Her comments come amid continued public interest in the position of senior military officers who are also closely connected to Zimbabwe's political leadership, particularly where military protocol intersects with their family relationships.
Baloyi's clarification makes clear that, despite her position as the Vice-President's wife, she continues to operate within the military hierarchy according to her substantive rank as a colonel.
Source - online
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