Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi has said his Command will not compromise standards for the candid training of those who will be selected to join the Zambia Army. The Army has maintained high standards and ethics due to following training procedures.
Lt Gen Alibuzwi has said basic military training often prepares recruits for all elements of service; physical, mental, and emotional, and gives them the basic tools necessary to perform the roles that will be assigned to them for the duration of their service in the Zambia Army.
Speaking when he toured the Army Battle Training Area(ABTA) in Lukanga on Saturday, General Alibuzwi said military training areas are important because they enable troops to train more realistically and in greater numbers over a wide area without undue inconvenience to the public or put others at risk.
“Land set aside specifically to enable the Army to train and exercise for combat is out of bounds to the general public,” Gen Alibuzwi emphasized.
The Army Commander has, however, observed with sadness some civilian activities taking place in the area and has directed the Commanding Officer of the Recruit Training Centre to quickly advise members of the public doing farming activities and charcoal burning in the area to immediately vacate before the commencement of military training because the whole space will be fully utilised looking at the big numbers of recruits set for training.
General Alibuzwi says Zambia Army faces growing challenges in carrying out realistic training at its centres and training ranges because of encroachment by outsiders.
The Army Commander was in Lukanga to assess the state of readiness of the training area, the logistical requirements for training to be conducted, and the type of training to shape recruits.
He was accompanied by heads of branches, senior officers, and warrant officers in charge of training, engineering, and logistics.
This is according to a statement issued by Colonel Martin Kalaluka Liyungu Zambia Army spokesperson.
