Army declares end of ‘Operation Restore Legacy’

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces has declared an end to Operation Restore Legacy, a month to the date when Zimbabweans marched in Harare for the removal of former president Robert Mugabe.

The announcement was made by Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lt General Philip Valerio Sibanda at a press conference at Josiah Magama Tongogara Baracks in Harare.

Lt Gen Sibanda said some criminals surrounding the former president had been caught while others had skipped the country.

He added that police would now assume all their duties and urged them to perform such by the client service charter. Soldiers are to return to barracks.

Lt Gen Sibanda also thanked the public for their discipline and resilience, saying now was the time to work for a peaceful, prosperous Zimbabwe.

The operation started on 14 November with army tanks moving into the streets of Harare’s central business district in the early hours of the 15th. This culminated in a march on the 18th and Mugabe’s resignation on the 21st. His former deputy Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa was installed as president on the 24th.