Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has retired the country’s Commander of the Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda, and replaced him with Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu, who was the Commander Zimbabwe National Army.
Mnangagwa has also promoted Major General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed him Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, replacing Matatu.
The announcement was made by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya on Wednesday.
“His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, acting in terms of section 216(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe as read with sections 7(1) and 8(2) of the Defence Act [Chapter 11:02), promoted Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu to the rank of General and appointed him Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces with effect from 21 November 2025.
“The appointment follows the retirement of outgoing Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda.”
“His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, acting in terms of section 216(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe as read with sections 11 (1)(a) and 11(4) of the Defence Act [Chapter 11:02], promoted Major General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed him Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army with effect from 25 November 2025.”
“The appointment follows the promotion of outgoing Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu, to the post of General and Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
