The defence forces are in charge of defending the nation

ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: The Constitution of Zimbabwe: Chapter 11: Security Service

  • Security services are responsible for maintaining law and order in the country
  • The security services of Zimbabwe consist of:
    1. The Defence Forces
    2. The Police Service
    3. The intelligence services
    4. The Prisons and Correctional Service
    5. Any other security service established by Act of Parliament

Defence Forces                                                                       

  • The Defence Forces of Zimbabwe consist of an Army, an Air Force and any other services that may be established under an Act of Parliament
  • The Defence Forces are the only lawful military forces in Zimbabwe
  • 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 the civilian authority as established by the Constitution
  • The Defence Forces must be maintained as disciplined military forces

Function of Defence Forces

  • The function of the Defence Forces is to protect Zimbabwe, its people, its national security and interests and its territorial integrity and to uphold this Constitution

Command of Defence Forces

  • The President is the Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces
  • The Defence Forces are to be under the command of a single Commander or each service of the Defence Forces, or any two or more of them jointly, are to be under the command of a separate Commander
  • The President is responsible for the appointment of the Defence Forces Commanders in consultation with the Minister of Defence
  • The Commander of the Defence Forces is responsible for:
    1. Controlling and commanding the members and equipment of the Defence Forces
    2. Maintaining discipline within the Defence Forces
    3. Improving or simplifying the organization, methods and procedure of the Defence Forces
    4. Ensuring maximum and efficient utilization of resources in the Defence Forces

Establishment and composition of Defence Forces Service Commission

  • There is a Defence Forces Service Commission consisting of a chairperson who must be the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, and a minimum of two and a maximum of six other members appointed by the President
  • Members of the Defence Forces Service Commission must be chosen for their knowledge of or experience in administration, management, military affairs, their professional qualifications or their general suitability for appointment, and at least half of them must be persons who are not and have not been members of the Defence Forces and at least one of them must have held senior rank in the Defence Forces for one or more periods amounting to at least five years

Functions of Defence Forces Service Commission

  • The Defence Forces Service Commission has the following functions:
    1. To appoint qualified and competent persons to hold posts or ranks in the Defence Forces
    2. To fix and regulate conditions of service, including salaries, allowances and other benefits, of members of the Defence Forces
    3. To ensure the general well-being and good administration of the Defence Forces and their maintenance in a high state of efficiency
    4. To ensure that members of the Defence Forces comply with the Code of Conduct for the Defence Services
    5. To foster harmony and understanding between the Defence Forces and civilians
    6. To advise the President and the Minister on any matter relating to the Defence Forces
    7. To exercise any other function conferred or imposed on the Commission by the Constitution or an Act of Parliament

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