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(TALKZIMBABWE) Sadc defence inspectors honour Zimbabwe's heroes

Sadc defence inspectors honour Zimbabwe's heroes
By: Angop-TZG
Posted: Thursday, September 2, 2010 7:20 am

THE general inspector of Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), Gen. Rafael Sapilinha Sambalanga, Wednesday in Chihnoyi (the capital of Mashonaland West province in Zimbabwe), led a group of Sadc generals in paying homage to Zimbabwe's Chimurenga (liberation war) heroes.

He is the current chairperson of Sadc Defence Inspectors. The heroes fought and won a protracted liberation war against the British and independence was proclaimed on April 18, 1980.

The Angolan general who arrived in Harare at the weekend, laid a wreath by the Tomb of the Unknown Solider -- hosting the tombs of 17 Zimbabwean freedom fighters who in 1966 were slaughtered for their political convictions against the segregationist and racist white regime of Ian Smith.

The Smith regime was responsible for the death of over 50 000 Zimbabwean freedom fighters and his Selous Scout branch -- composed of specially trained black sellouts and white Rhodesians -- killed over 10 000 innocent civilians.


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Gen. Sambalanga was accompanied by his counterparts from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Zambia, who are attending the 3rd Ordinary Meeting of Inspectors of the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc).

They are tasked, inter alia, with checking the use of human and financial resources and make them available to the Stand-By Force staff of Sadc.

Gen. Sambalanga will transfer the chairmanship of the group his Zimbabwean counterpart, Major-General Engelbert Rugeje.

The homage ceremony set a break in the sessions that will continue today (Thursday) to assess the rotating presidency held by Angola.

Speaking on Tuesday, Gen. Sambalanga said the meeting is taking place in an era of post-conflict that prevailed in the southern African region for decades.

"Today we are witnessing a combination of efforts in areas of common interest for the peoples of the region, transformed into a reference of undeniable cooperation in the continent,” said the Angolan officer who attributed the fact to the wise leadership of the region.

Labels: ARMED FORCES, RAFAEL SAPILINHA SAMBALANGA, SADC

posted by MrK @ 4:11 PM