Zimbabwe National Army
Defending the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests of Zimbabwe while contributing to international peace and security.
Provide a highly professional land force capable of carrying out its Constitutional Mandate.
To defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests of Zimbabwe and to contribute to international peace and security.
Loyalty, Professionalism, Patriotism, Integrity & Unity of Purpose.
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) was established in 1980 following the nation's independence. It was formed by integrating the three opposing forces of the time: the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA), the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), and the Rhodesian Army.
This historic integration process was supervised by the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT), forging a singular, highly disciplined national defense force from former adversaries.
Under Section 211 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, our primary mandate is to protect the nation's independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. We remain committed to maintaining absolute discipline, professionalism, and civil-military cooperation.
The culture of defending Zimbabwe dates back to the pre-Colonial era where king’s soldiers and warriors mobilised to deal with threats to societal existence. This culture has its genesis from the Changamire wars of resistance to initial European encroachment, the Anglo-Ndebele War of Dispossession (1893) and the First Chimurenga (1896-97).
Despite initial setbacks, this culture was re-ignited in the 1960’s during the war of liberation that gave birth to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) and Zimbabwe African National Union's (ZANU) military wings (Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) and Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA)) exploits proved heroic. These could not be ignored when negotiations for independence at the Lancaster House were crafted.
The ZNA drew its membership from 3 former belligerent Armies: the Rhodesian Army, Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) and Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA). Lieutenant General George Peter Walls supervised the integration. The Joint High Command (JHC) was established in March 1980, comprising Lt Gen LC Maclean (Rhodesian Army), and Generals TRS Mujuru and L Masuku representing Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) and Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA).
The operational and tactical brigades of the Zimbabwe National Army, positioned strategically to maintain territorial integrity, defend sovereignty, and protect the citizens of our nation.
1 Infantry Brigade
Southern Command Headquarters
2 Infantry Brigade
Northern Command Headquarters
3 Infantry Brigade
Eastern Command Headquarters
4 Infantry Brigade
Central Command Headquarters
5 Infantry Brigade
National Reserve Headquarters
Mechanised Brigade
Armored & Mobile Support Force
Artillery Brigade
Strategic Firepower & Artillery Command
