Zimbabwe's leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has moved his army chief into a cabinet position. The President decided to end Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe's military career and immediately place him in charge of the sports ministry. This change happened on March 25, 2025, according to an official statement from Martin Rushwaya, who serves as Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet.
The President used his powers under Zimbabwe's constitution and defense laws to remove Sanyatwe from his military command. The official announcement cited specific legal provisions that allow the President, as Commander in Chief, to make these personnel changes. Lieutenant General Sanyatwe will head the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture starting right away.
Sanyatwe takes over for Kirsty Coventry, the former government official who recently left her cabinet position. Coventry stepped away from her ministerial duties because she accepted leadership of the International Olympic Committee as its President. Her departure created the opening that Mnangagwa has filled with the retired military commander.
The reshuffling represents a significant career shift for Sanyatwe, who moves directly from leading the country's army to managing its sports and cultural affairs. Mnangagwa made both decisions - the military retirement and ministerial appointment - under different sections of Zimbabwe's legal framework, with both changes taking effect immediately, as stated in the official announcement.
The President used his powers under Zimbabwe's constitution and defense laws to remove Sanyatwe from his military command. The official announcement cited specific legal provisions that allow the President, as Commander in Chief, to make these personnel changes. Lieutenant General Sanyatwe will head the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture starting right away.
Sanyatwe takes over for Kirsty Coventry, the former government official who recently left her cabinet position. Coventry stepped away from her ministerial duties because she accepted leadership of the International Olympic Committee as its President. Her departure created the opening that Mnangagwa has filled with the retired military commander.
The reshuffling represents a significant career shift for Sanyatwe, who moves directly from leading the country's army to managing its sports and cultural affairs. Mnangagwa made both decisions - the military retirement and ministerial appointment - under different sections of Zimbabwe's legal framework, with both changes taking effect immediately, as stated in the official announcement.
