. MIHOVA

By CHILA NAMAIKO –

THE commando marine unit will be deployed in the waters of Lake Kariba and the Zambezi River to guarantee protection of citizens, Zambia Army Commander Paul Mihova has said.
The deployment of the commandos on the water bodies in Southern Province follows the split of the commando unit to form a marine troop, which was sent to Northern Province.
Lieutenant-General Mihova said the splitting of the commando unit was meant to have a group of soldiers to protect Zambian citizens on the country’s water bodies shared with other countries.
Lt Gen Mihova said the troops would counter any acts of aggression on Zambia’s territorial waters in Sinazongwe and Kazungula districts.
“A number of marine soldiers will be deployed within the course of next year on the water bodies in Sinazongwe and Kazungula to cover up all crime-prone areas,” he said.
Lt Gen Mihova said this when he paid a courtesy call on deputy provincial Permanent Secretary Douglas Ngimbu in Choma. He said the marine units would protect citizens living near the water bodies whose lives have for some time been at risk of foreign attacks.
The marine troops would also help Zambia Wildlife Authority officers curb poaching in the crime-prone areas.
Mr Ngimbu commended the Zambian soldiers for being vigilant and for continuing to protect the country.
He said the provincial joint operations committee, headed by the Zambia Army, was working hard to ensure security personnel were deployed to crime-prone areas in the province.
Mr Ngimbu bemoaned the rising cases of poaching, and cited districts like Sinazongwe and Kazungula which needed the Government to beef up security personnel.
He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to uplifting the living standards of the service personnel for them to effectively continue maintaining peace and stability in the country.