By Takudziridzwa Nyama
President Mnangagwa has appointed Major -General Emmanuel Matatu to the rank of Lieutenant-General and appointed him Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army with immediate effect.
Lt-Gen Matatu, a former Zipra cadre, replaces Lt-Gen (Rtd) Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe who was retired on Tuesday and appointed to the position of Ministry of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation. Sanyatwe replaced Kirsty Coventry following her recent election as the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
In a press statement released yesterday, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, said President Mnangangwa has appointed Major General Emmanuel Matatu to the rank of Lieutenant General and Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army with immediate effect.
“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) as read with section 89 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and sections 11(1)(a) and 11(4) of the Defence Act (Chapter 11:02), has appointed Major General Emmanuel Matatu to the rank of Lieutenant General and Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army with immediate effect.”
Lt-General Matatu walks direct into the storm of an impending protests being championed by expelled ZANU PF central committee member and war veteran Blessed Geza amid simmering political tensions in the country.