New Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander, General Philip Valerio Sibanda
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) on Monday brought to finality Operation Restore Legacy which began on November 13 handing over all policing duties to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
Addressing a press conference before being appointed Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander later in the day at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks, General Philip Valerio Sibanda said Operation Restore Legacy had achieved its purpose to apprehend criminals around the former President Mugabe and there is now change of guard in the country’s leadership. Before his appointment, Sibanda was Zimbabwe National Army Lieutenant.
The operation had been launched by the security services “to remove criminals that had surrounded former president (Robert Mugabe) resulting in anxiety and despondency amongst our people.”
“While some of the individuals have been accounted for, others skipped the country. This notwithstanding, the objectives of the operation have to a large extent been achieved. Besides the above-mentioned objective, Operation Restore Legacy has had wider implications on the political, economic and social activities of our people. In this regard a new political dispensation has been ushered-in to take Zimbabwe into its rightful place with SADC and the world at large,” he said.
“Today as the defence forces handover all normal day to day policing duties to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, we urge all our citizens to allow for a smooth transition. Members of the public are urged to respect, support and cooperate with the police as they execute their constitutional mandate. “On the other hand, the Zimbabwe Republic Police are expected to fully take over their responsibility and perform according to their constitutional mandate and Client Service Charter,” said Sibanda.