The Ministry of Defence is tasked with providing the political leadership, legislative authority and financial resources to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. It is the Command and Control center that provides guidance and a conducive environment that enables the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to attend to and fulfill their mandate as the guarantors of the country’s peace, tranquility and stability unfettered by any political or legal constraints.

Pursuant to this noble endeavor, the ministry oversees and ensures the ultimate implementation of issues relating to the establishment, command, administration, organisation, duties, conditions of service, training, co-operation with other Military Forces, and utilisation of land for defence purposes, among other issues.

The ministry is also tasked with interpreting and executing Zimbabwe’s Defence Policy, which is premised on self-defence, taking into cognisance the political climate obtaining in a country and that of other countries in the region. Above all, the ministry has to take into account the overriding desire for lasting peace and stability on the continent and throughout the world.

The Minister of defence heads the ministry, below him is the Deputy Minister for Defence followed by the Secretary for Defence who is the principal officer for civilian staff  Headquarters.