Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu appointed as Zimbabwe National Army commander! President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), has promoted Major General Emmanuel Matatu to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed him as the new Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).
The announcement was made by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya, in a statement issued on Thursday, 27 March 2025.
“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.”
Emmanuel Matatu
Leadership Transition in the ZNA
Lieutenant General Matatu replaces Lieutenant General (Rtd) Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, who was officially sworn in as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture earlier on Thursday.
Sanyatwe’s transition from the military to a ministerial role was part of a broader leadership reshuffle initiated by President Mnangagwa.
On Tuesday, 25 March, Mnangagwa retired Sanyatwe from the military and appointed him Minister of Sport, taking over from Kirsty Coventry. Coventry, a former Olympic swimmer, recently became president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), leaving the ministerial position vacant.
Matatu’s Rise Through the Military Ranks
Before his appointment as ZNA Commander, Lieutenant General Matatu served as the Chief of Staff (Administration) for the Zimbabwe National Army. His career has been marked by steady promotions within the military hierarchy.
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In 2021, he was promoted from Brigadier-General to Major-General when Lieutenant General David Sigauke was appointed ZNA Commander.
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Sigauke had taken over command following the death of Lieutenant General Edzai Chimonyo in July 2021.
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Chimonyo had previously succeeded General Philip Valerio Sibanda in 2017, after Sibanda was appointed Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF).
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Sibanda had replaced retired General Constantino Chiwenga, who later became Vice-President of Zimbabwe.
A Legacy of Military Service
Lieutenant General Matatu is a former ZPRA veteran, having fought in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. His military background includes:
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Attending Thekwane High School in Plumtree.
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Receiving training at the Zambian Military Academy, Kohima, during the liberation war.
His appointment reflects Mnangagwa’s ongoing efforts to restructure and strengthen the leadership of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces while rewarding seasoned military officials with key leadership roles.
Strategic Leadership Changes in Zimbabwe’s Military
Matatu’s promotion is part of a broader realignment of Zimbabwe’s military leadership. Over the years, the ZNA and ZDF have seen several key leadership changes, many of which have influenced Zimbabwe’s political landscape.
With Matatu now at the helm of the Zimbabwe National Army, he is expected to oversee military operations, ensure national security, and maintain stability within the country.
His appointment also signals Mnangagwa’s continued reliance on military figures with liberation war credentials, reinforcing the strong ties between Zimbabwe’s military and political leadership.
