General Chiwenga Resigns, Lt-General Phillip Sibanda Promoted to Commander Defence Forces

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri has retired after more than 23 years in charge of the country’s police force.

Chihuri’s retirement comes on the same day that the Zimbabwe Defence forces announced the end of Operation Restore Legacy and the return of the ZRP to normal duty. The former Commissioner-General was heckled and booed by the crowd when he was pledging his loyalty and allegiance to President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his inauguration ceremony in November 2017. Chihuri will be replaced by Deputy Commissioner General Godwin Matanga in the interim until a new Substantive Commissioner General is appointed.

Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (CDF) General Constantino Chiwenga has retired from the military and he has been replaced as CDF by former Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, Phillip Valerio Sibanda. Edzai Absolom Chimonyo becomes the new Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army.

Former Air Vice Marshal Elson Moyo has been named as the new Air Force Commander. Major-Generals Sibusiso Moyo and Engelbert Rugeje have received promotion upon retirement and they retire as Lieutenant-Generals. Air Marshal Perrance Shiri has also been promoted on retiredment to Air Chief Marshal, a four-star rank.