By A Correspondent |Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri claims that no-one was killed by the soldiers during the Operation Restore Legacy coup executed on former President Robert Mugabe between November 17 last year and January 18.

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Responding to a question in parliament by Zengeza Member of Parliament Job Sikhala, Kashiri said as far as government knows, no-one was killed nor forced into exile as a result of the action.

“If the Hon. Member is referring to victims of casualties of Operation Restore Legacy which I believe he was Mr. Speaker Sir, the answer is none. As far as we are concerned, no one was killed during this operation,” said Kashiri.

The Minister further indicated that government never forced anyone into exile.

“Madam Speaker, since the coming in to power of the new dispensation in November 2017, the new Government never at any time officially ordered anyone into exile. Instead, those that purport to be in exile left the country during the operation and did so on their own volition and for reasons best known to themselves.”

“Those that are in self imposed exile know better why they are staying outside the country. A number of individuals who were in such situations have returned home and they are staying here safely and freely. Examples of such people are former Vice President Mphoko, Former Minister of Local Government Mr. Kasukuwere and his brother Dickson Mafios as well as the Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Walter Muzembi.”

“However, it should be noted that if any of those people in self-imposed in exile have any criminal cases, they should come back and account for their cases in the courts of law as is happening with some of them.”

Contrary to Kashiri, former President Robert Mugabe has in previous interviews indicated that several members of the Central Intelligence and presidential guards were killed during the operation.

His sentiments were also echoed by exiled former Minister Jonathan Moyo.