Mnangagwa trashes Constitution

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has made a controversial move by appointing the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) commander, General Phillip Valerio Sibanda, as an ex-officio member of Zanu-PF's Politburo, the ruling party's highest decision-making body outside of Congress. This unprecedented appointment defies the country's Constitution, which prohibits serving members of the security sector from involvement in partisan politics.

Addressing Zanu-PF delegates at the 20th National People's Conference in Gweru, President Mnangagwa announced the appointment, which he claimed takes immediate effect. General Sibanda's promotion to this political role is a deviation from constitutional and legal provisions that prohibit military personnel from engaging in partisan political activities.

The Zimbabwe Constitution of 2013, in Section 208, clearly states that members of the security services should not be members of any political party or engage in partisan political activities. These legal restrictions are intended to ensure that military personnel uphold constitutional and legal principles, act impartially, and do not prejudice the interests of any political party.

This appointment is particularly significant, given General Sibanda's promotion to head the ZDF in 2017, replacing Constantino Chiwenga, who had taken on the role of vice president in a civilian capacity. Sibanda is known to be a close ally of President Mnangagwa, which suggests that this appointment may be a strategic move to consolidate Mnangagwa's power within the party.

In addition to this appointment, Rose Mpofu from Matabeleland South province has been named the new secretary for People With Disabilities (PWDs), succeeding the late national hero Joshua Malinga.