Paul Nyathi|Government has claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa only retired and reassigned the four notorious senior military officers who were all somewhat fingured in the killings of citizens during protests in Harare.

Chief Secretary to the cabinet Misheck Sibanda rushed to issue a statement after an exposè by ZimEye.com that the four had unceremoniously been removed from the army exactly a month after being promoted.

According to an unconvincing statement by Sibanda the removal of the soldiers to the Diplomatic Service is in line with Government’s critical global engagement and re-engagement strategy.

Last month President Mnangagwa made a chilling declaration that some big heads were going to roll in the army after he cut short his visit oversees on reports that army officers were killing civilians.

Sibanda said Major Generals Martin Chedondo, Douglas Nyikayaramba, Anselem N Sanyatwe and Air Vice Marshal Shebba Shumbayawonda are set to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade pending finalisation of diplomatic consultations.

According to Sibanda the government will release accreditation details for each of the four senior officers once various bilateral consultations are concluded.

It remains to be seen which countries the four will be deployed to in the wake of known human rights abuses against them.

“His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces thanks the four officers for serving their country with honour and dedication in the Defence Forces, and wish the successful careers in the Diplomatic Service,” reads the statement.