President Mugabe has promoted two Air Force of Zimbabwe Wing Commanders to the rank of Group Captain and elevated 12 Squadron Leaders to the rank of Wing Commanders. The promotions by Cde Mugabe, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, are with immediate effect.

AFZ Chief of Staff (Supporting Services) Air Vice Marshal Shebba Shumbayaonda conferred Group Captains Alphious Gwata and Benjamin Chaeruka their new ranks in Harare yesterday.

Air Vice Marshal Shumbayaonda said the promotions were a result of hard work and dedication to duty.

“This is a recognition and appreciation of the hard work you have exhibited,” he said.

“The institution has seen it fit to put you in these positions because of the capacity you have shown.

“You deserve to be where you are not by favour but by your deeds.”

Air Vice Marshal Shumbayaonda challenged the two to be “equal to the task”.

“It is common knowledge that new ranks come with added duties,” he said.

“You are expected to deliver more than you have been doing.

“The task is now left with you to be equal to the task and deliver diligently the duties expected from you.”

“Remember the sky is the limit for you.

“If you continue exhibiting that hard work you will continue rising up the ladder.”

He said the AFZ was also gender sensitive as women were also being promoted.

“You might be surprised that in today’s promotions there were no women. We consider them (women) also.

“Promotions also depend on the period served in the system and I assure you that we will continue honouring women,” he said.

Group Captain Chaeruka is now Commander of the AFZ Field Base in Chegutu.

He was attested into the AFZ in 1980 as a Sergeant and has attended various military courses outside the country.

He participated in the country’s liberation struggle and is a veteran of the Mozambican and Democratic Republic of Congo campaigns.

Group Captain Gwata, who is now the director of operations at AFZ Headquarters in Harare, was attested into the AFZ in 1983.

He has also attended various military courses outside the country.

Group Captain Gwata is a veteran of the Mozambican and DRC campaigns.