By A Correspondent
In a significant reshuffling of military leadership, Zimbabwe’s President, Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, has appointed Major General Emmanuel Matatu as the new commander of the Zimbabwe National Army. This comes after the elevation of Matatu to the rank of Lieutenant General. The announcement was made on March 27, 2025, in an official government statement.
The move follows the reassignment of Lieutenant General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, who has been shifted to the peripheral Ministry of Sports. Mnangagwa’s decision to remove Sanyatwe is seen as a strategic maneuver to address internal power struggles within the ruling Zanu PF party, where Sanyatwe was regarded as a key figure.
According to political analysts, Sanyatwe’s reassignment is widely perceived as an effort by Mnangagwa to consolidate his control over the military. “Mnangagwa has made it clear that he wants to retain a tight grip on power, especially with the nationwide protests scheduled for March 31,” said one analyst who requested anonymity.
The protests, led by war veteran Blessed Geza, have become a focal point of the opposition against the current government. Geza and his supporters are calling for widespread demonstrations against the administration, raising concerns that the protests may escalate into significant unrest.
In the official government statement, the appointment of Major General Matatu was outlined in legal terms. “His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, acting in terms of section 216(2) as read with section 89 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and sections 11(1)(a) and 11(4) of the Defence Act (Chapter 11:02), has appointed Major General Emmanuel Matatu to the rank of Lieutenant General and Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army with immediate effect,” the statement read.
As the country braces for potential unrest, Mnangagwa’s reshuffling of military leadership underscores his commitment to stabilizing his rule in the face of mounting pressure. The appointment of Matatu to the helm of the Zimbabwe National Army signals a new chapter in Zimbabwe’s military and political landscape as the nation moves closer to the scheduled protests.
The reshuffling marks a notable turning point, as Mnangagwa attempts to steer the country through a period of heightened tension. The true impact of this shift in military command will likely unfold in the coming weeks, as the opposition ramps up its calls for change.