Republican President and commander-in-chief of the defence force Hakainde Hichilema is next month, expected in Mbala district, Northern Province to witness the special forces officers’ and operatives’ induction parade.

Zambia Army commander Lieutenant General Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi confirmed this when he called on Mbala district commissioner Annie Paul.

“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,” said Lt Gen Alibuzwi.

“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.”

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, Lt Gen Alibuzwi 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 were 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 the Outward Bound area earmarked for commando direct entry recruit training.

The 30 officers who are finalising training are out of the 313 who were commissioned by President Hichilema in 2022 and volunteered to join the special forces.