Lt-Gen Matatu takes over the reins at ZDF

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promoted Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Matatu to the rank of General and appointed him as Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), effective November 21, following the retirement of General Philip Valerio Sibanda.

The President also promoted Major-General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi to Lieutenant-General and appointed him as Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), effective November 25, 2025. The appointments were announced by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya.

In his statement, Dr Rushwaya noted that Lt-Gen Matatu's promotion and appointment were made under the provisions of section 216(2) of the Constitution, read with sections 7(1) and 8(2) of the Defence Act. "The appointment follows the retirement of outgoing Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda," the statement read.

Regarding the ZNA appointment, Dr Rushwaya said President Mnangagwa, acting under the Constitution and Defence Act, promoted Maj-Gen Tapfumaneyi to Lieutenant-General to succeed Lt-Gen Matatu, who moves on to command the ZDF.

Lt-Gen Matatu previously replaced Lt-Gen (Retired) Anselem Sanyatwe, who retired in March and was appointed Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture. Matatu rose from Brigadier-General to Major-General in 2021, serving at the Zimbabwe National Defence University before moving to Army Headquarters as Chief of Staff Administration, then ZNA Commander, and now ZDF Commander.

Maj-Gen Tapfumaneyi, who served as Deputy Director-General in the President's Department from 2020, also held senior government positions, including Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees, and Restrictees, as well as Principal Director in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs. His promotion from Brigadier-General to Lieutenant-General accompanies his assumption of the ZNA command.

These appointments mark a significant leadership transition in Zimbabwe's defence forces, reflecting the government's ongoing efforts to maintain continuity and professionalism within the military hierarchy.