By Prince Chese
President Mnangagwa has elevated Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu to the rank of General and named him the new Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, a role he will assume from 21 November 2025.
The announcement comes as General Philip Valerio Sibanda steps down from the position.
In a separate development, Major General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi has been promoted to Lieutenant General.
He is set to take over as Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army beginning 25 November 2025.
“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,” reads one of the statements by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr. Martin Rushwaya.