President Mnangagwa has removed Lt. General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe from his army position and made him a minister instead. Sanyatwe takes over as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture right away. He replaces Kirsty Coventry, who left after winning the election as International Olympic Committee president last week. Martin Rushwaya, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, shared this news on Tuesday.
The President acted as Commander in Chief when he retired Sanyatwe from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and from leading the Zimbabwe National Army. He based this decision on section 216 and section 340 of Zimbabwe's Constitution, plus section 115 of the Defence Act. These legal powers let Mnangagwa make changes at the highest military levels whenever he thinks necessary.
Rushwaya explained that the President used his constitutional authority to make these leadership changes. The announcement stated that under section 104 of the Constitution, Lt. General Sanyatwe immediately starts his new job heading the sports and culture ministry. This creates an unusual career shift for the former military commander.
The move transfers a top military leader directly into the government cabinet with no waiting period between roles. Sanyatwe's immediate appointment shows how quickly the President can reshape both military and ministerial positions. The Constitution gives Mnangagwa broad powers to make such personnel decisions across different branches of government.
The President acted as Commander in Chief when he retired Sanyatwe from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and from leading the Zimbabwe National Army. He based this decision on section 216 and section 340 of Zimbabwe's Constitution, plus section 115 of the Defence Act. These legal powers let Mnangagwa make changes at the highest military levels whenever he thinks necessary.
Rushwaya explained that the President used his constitutional authority to make these leadership changes. The announcement stated that under section 104 of the Constitution, Lt. General Sanyatwe immediately starts his new job heading the sports and culture ministry. This creates an unusual career shift for the former military commander.
The move transfers a top military leader directly into the government cabinet with no waiting period between roles. Sanyatwe's immediate appointment shows how quickly the President can reshape both military and ministerial positions. The Constitution gives Mnangagwa broad powers to make such personnel decisions across different branches of government.
