Top Zimbabwe military, police officers retire

19 Décembre 2017

Harare, Zimbabwe, December 19 (Infosplusgabon)  - Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander, General Constantino Chiwenga, who was instrumental in the resignation of President Robert Mugabe, has retired.

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) reported that Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri has also retired.

General Chiwenga led the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to take over the country on 15 November after sending armoured vehicles into Harare the previous evening.

The Defence Forces remained in control as they withdrew support for President Mugabe until the 93-year-old leader, who had ruled Zimbabwe from independence in 1980 finally resigned on 21 November. The Defence Forces then installed Emmerson Mnangagwa as president on 24 November.

Zimbabwe Defence and Security Services said on Monday that they had ended their operation that led to a change of guard in the leadership of the Southern African country. There was huge support for the action of the defence forces as tens of thousands of people, Veterans and ruling ZANU-PF massed up in rallies across the country to demand the departure of President Mugabe.

The state broadcaster, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), quoted the Defence and Security Services as saying "Operation Restore Legacy has come to an end".

ZBC said "Operation Restore Legacy had achieved its purpose to apprehend criminals around the former president and there is now change of guard in the country’s leadership."

Meanwhile, the Commander-in-Chief, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promoted several members to fill the vacuum, the state broadcaster announced on Monday evening.

In a statement, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda said General Chiwenga retired pending redeployment and Zimbabwe National Army Commander, Lieutenant General Phillip Valerio Sibanda has been promoted to fill the vacancy.

Air Marshall Perrence Shiri has been promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal and retired, while Major General Sibusiso Moyo and Major General Engelbert Rugeje have been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and retired.

Air Marshall Shiri and Major General Sibusiso Moyo were recently appointed Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Resettlement, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade respectively.

Major General Edzai Absolom Chanyuka Chimonyo and Air Vice Marshall Elson Moyo have been promoted to ZNA Commander and Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander respectively.

In the police force Deputy Commissioner Godwin Matanga has been appointed Acting Police Commissioner General.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/IBN/ GABON 2017

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