The Zambia Army has announced that Republican President and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force, Hakainde Hichilema, is expected in Mbala District, Northern Province, to witness the special forces officers’ operatives’ induction parade next month.
Zambia Army Commander, Lieutenant General Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi, said this when he called on Mbala District Commissioner Annie Paul.
30 officers finalising training are out of the 313 who were commissioned by President Hichilema in 2022 and volunteered to join the Special Forces.
“The President will be in our midst on the 17th of the coming month, if all goes according to plan, to grace the forthcoming induction of army officers undergoing Special Forces training. We are just finalising the preparations, after which he will be called.”
This whole training finally qualifies trainee officers and soldiers as special forces operatives,” Lt General Alibuzwi said.
In welcoming the Army Commander, Ms Paul thanked the Zambia Army for its continued support towards various developmental initiatives in the district and heaped praise on the Mbala-based commandos for their good conduct.
During another courtesy call on Mpulungu District Commissioner, Gehard Sikazwe, the Army Commander received commendations, owing to the hard work and commitment to duty by the Zambia Army officers and soldiers from the Commando Unit deployed in the area.
The Army Commander and his entourage are in the district to witness the final days of training for 29 officers and one soldier of the Zambia Army who volunteered to become Special Forces operatives.
Initially, 32 officers and one soldier volunteered to undergo special forces training, of whom one withdrew due to the pressure associated with the operatives, while two other officers sustained injuries, with one succumbing to them after undergoing several weeks of treatment, bringing the total down to 29 officers and one soldier.
The entourage was greeted by several demonstrations, including night attacks, raids, demolitions, and live and night firing as part of the final exercise.
The entourage also took time to appreciate local tourism by visiting Kalambo Falls and the Moto Moto Museum, situated in Mbala district, and took time to appreciate an outward bound area earmarked for Commando direct entry recruit training.
Zambia Army Spokesperson Col Martin Kalaluka Liyungu said the 30 officers finalising training are out of the 313 who were commissioned by President Hichilema in 2022 and volunteered to join the Special Forces.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Army has described Joseph Mwape, an officer and commando trainee who lost his life on Saturday, as disciplined and brave.
Speaking during his burial over the weekend, Special Forces Group Commander Brigadier General Swana, representing the Army Commander, said 2 Lt Mwape exhibited high performance on duty and always led by example.
And Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi has expressed solace to the officer’s family.
During a condolence visit to the funeral home in Kanyama, Lt Gen Alibuzwi comforted the family and expressed his empathy for their loss.
“On behalf of the Zambia Army, I convey my deepest sympathies. There are no appropriate words to express to someone who has suffered a loss, particularly a child’s. Words can never take away the deep pain, but our presence here is a reminder that we are together in these sorrowful times. “Our thoughts are with you, and we wish you courage and peace as you sail through these difficult times,” the Army Commander said.
The late 2 Lt Mwape, 23, who has also been described as a hero and determined young man by his family, joined the Zambia Army as a cadet officer in January 2021 and was commissioned in February 2022.
He was posted to 10 medium regiments in Ndola then 48 Marines, and later went for his basic special forces training in Mbala.
2 Lt Mwape sustained an injury during a training exercise, and he was quickly rushed to the hospital, where he received treatment until the time of his death.
Let him put on army attire. Not those suits with a red tie he likes putting on.He dilutes the values of our defence force. After all, he is commander in Chief of the Armed forces. Is he going to eat the serpent, that his predecessor, partook? I doubt!!!
He’s too superstitious to do that. He suspects someone may plant some charms.
HH is the commander-in-chief. In other words, he’s the boss. He can choose to turn up in military fatigues or civvies. It’s entirely up to him.
Don,t carry any food sir. When you are in special forces territory, the only food available are roasted puff adders. Enjoy the meal
HH is his own man. He won’t do stuff like eating snakes just because his predecessor did. Besides, Lungu isn’t exactly imitation material – unless you are Bowman.
@Makunku. Your HH is just the kama most cowardly Freemason President that has ever lived. You can’t compare him to Washington, Lincoln and others
Lusaka times why are you posting images of women some of us have a history with. Don’t bring confusion in my head. This woman sure nikudala. Anyway chikalimo limo. Perfect size for strong men. She is in my past. I love my Regina
Then he is counterfeit not worth the name of Commander in Chief. As commander in chief, he needs to know that, a trained soldier goes through a lot to protect him. What a shame!!!
If they are truly Special Forces the last thing they would need is cameras and such public annoucements
We can’t wait to discern how the head of state is going to expound on the way of life and why we should defend it. Is it for political parties? Or for intellectual properties?
You will see how quickly the office of the executive is going to remove this report. “President Hakainde Hichilema expected in Mbala to Witness Special Forces Event”-LT
GRZ and political parties need to be honest with taxpayers when coming up with words like Special Forces when it is the government. Sometimes it uses aggression instead of law. Special forces rely on the Law.
GRZ what’s going on?
Some People are so naive that they think only Hakainde is different from the rest of Zambians. Everyone is different there is no need for anyone to be like anyone else. The only thing is that we all converge on common agreed values such as a head of state occupying the state accomodation and state offices. So there is no point for HH and anyone for that matter to act or behave like somone else. The other common agreed values are that when you are head of state you must deliver on your promises and you are expected to be truthful.