ZIMBABWE today celebrates the Defence Forces Day as it pays tribute to the men and women in uniform whose role is to protect the country, its people, national security and interests as well as territorial integrity.

The Constitution states that the defence forces consist of an army, an air force and any other services that may be established under an Act of Parliament.

It is no mean feat for the men and women in uniform whose daily bread is to ensure there is peace in the country, its borders are secure and there is no threat to the republic.

They have executed the task with aplomb.

They have not wavered even as the country is bedevilled by economic challenges.

To them, the defence of the country is paramount and everything else plays second fiddle.

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Their patriotism to the national cause has seen them soldier on despite deteriorating working conditions.

They are not immune to the harsh economic environment.

On Defence Forces Day, we call on the government to improve the conditions for our men and women, who resolutely defend the country’s territorial integrity.

Year in and year out, they are told that the government will improve their welfare.

They are now accustomed to empty promises and lies.

Unlike other civil servants who can engage in industrial action to press for better working conditions, the defence forces do not enjoy that privilege, which makes their situation unique.

We have seen our men and women in uniforms that are past their sell-by dates. We should be proud of our defenders and properly kit them.

It is in the country’s interest to ensure that the defence forces have the right tools of trade and do not use obsolete equipment.

Such oversight must not be tolerated.

Some years ago, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube announced the establishment of garrison shops and we applauded the government as they would alleviate the plight of our security forces.

We have seen the Zimbabwe Defence Forces' roles expanding to new areas such as disaster alleviation, building schools and bridges and being involved in food security programmes.

They are adapting to the evolving world which is commandable.

We have also seen a few dabbling in politics in violation of section 211(3) of the Constitution, which states that the defence forces must respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons and be non-partisan, national in character, patriotic, professional and subordinate to civilian authority.

According to scholar Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni, what has emerged is an alliance between Zanu PF nationalist leadership and the military.

The alliance has guarded the nationalist shrine up to today and has defined politics in terms of a straitjacket that only fits those with nationalist and military background.

Be that as it may, the actions of a few cannot soil the sacrifice of the men and women who have ensured that Zimbabweans enjoy the peace the nation cherishes so much.

The defence forces are our protectors hence citizens should be comfortable in the presence of members of the military.