Zimbabwe has a new army boss. On Thursday, March 27, 2025, President Emmerson Mnangagwa promoted Major General Emmanuel Matatu to Lieutenant General. Matatu will immediately take charge of the Zimbabwe National Army. Martin Rushwaya, who serves as the President's chief secretary, shared this news.
Matatu stepped into the job after Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe left. Sanyatwe didn't go far—he became the Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture that same day. President Mnangagwa had already moved Sanyatwe out of the army two days earlier. Sanyatwe fills the spot left by Kirsty Coventry, who runs the International Olympic Committee these days.
Before his big promotion, Matatu worked as the Army's Chief of Staff for Administration. He climbed the ranks steadily throughout his career. In 2021, when David Sigauke took command of the army, the army bumped him up from brigadier general to major general.
The Zimbabwe army has seen several leadership changes recently. Sigauke replaced Edzai Chimonyo, who passed away in July 2021. Earlier, Chimonyo had taken over from Philip Valerio Sibanda in 2017. Sibanda moved up to lead all Zimbabwe Defence Forces. He replaced General Constantino Chiwenga, who later became vice president of Zimbabwe.
Matatu brings solid experience to his new role. He fought as a ZPRA veteran during earlier conflicts. He attended Thekwane High School in Plumtree. His military training took place at Zambia's Kohima Military Academy during the fight for liberation.
Matatu stepped into the job after Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe left. Sanyatwe didn't go far—he became the Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture that same day. President Mnangagwa had already moved Sanyatwe out of the army two days earlier. Sanyatwe fills the spot left by Kirsty Coventry, who runs the International Olympic Committee these days.
Before his big promotion, Matatu worked as the Army's Chief of Staff for Administration. He climbed the ranks steadily throughout his career. In 2021, when David Sigauke took command of the army, the army bumped him up from brigadier general to major general.
The Zimbabwe army has seen several leadership changes recently. Sigauke replaced Edzai Chimonyo, who passed away in July 2021. Earlier, Chimonyo had taken over from Philip Valerio Sibanda in 2017. Sibanda moved up to lead all Zimbabwe Defence Forces. He replaced General Constantino Chiwenga, who later became vice president of Zimbabwe.
Matatu brings solid experience to his new role. He fought as a ZPRA veteran during earlier conflicts. He attended Thekwane High School in Plumtree. His military training took place at Zambia's Kohima Military Academy during the fight for liberation.
