Chronicle Editor
Mashudu Netsianda, [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has retired Lieutenant General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe from his position as Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army and reassigned him as the Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
The appointment is with immediate effect.
Lt Gen Sanyatwe replaces Kirsty Coventry following her recent election as the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Coventry, a celebrated Olympian and former swimming champion, has served as the country’s Minister of Sport since 2018, working on policies to improve sports development and athletes welfare in the country.
Her elevation to the top position in the IOC marks a historic milestone, making her the first African woman and the youngest person to lead the global sports governing body.
Coventry will assume her new role in June.
In a statement last night, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya said the reassignment was carried out in terms of Constitutional provisions governing the command of the Defence Forces.
“In terms of Section 216 (2) (Command of Defence Forces) as read with Section 340 (1) (f) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and Section 115 (Commander-in-Chief Prerogative) of the Defence Act (Chapter 11:02), the President, in his capacity as such and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, has relieved and retired Lieutenant General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and as Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army with immediate effect,” he said.
Lt Gen Sanyatwe’s appointment to the Cabinet is in accordance with Section 104 (3) of the Constitution, which allows the President to appoint ministers from outside Parliament.
He will now head the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
Lt Gen Sanyatwe, a decorated military officer, previously served in key defence and security roles, including as Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Tanzania, before returning to the army.
Lt Gen Sanyatwe is a military strategist of note and has decades of experience in the army. He is also a veteran of Zimbabwe’s war of liberation.
President Mnangagwa appointed Lt Gen Sanyatwe to the position of Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) in October 2023. His appointment followed the retirement of Lt Gen David Sigauke.
Lt Gen Sigauke led the ZNA from 2021 following his promotion after the death of his predecessor and national hero, Lt Gen Edzai Chimonyo.
Online Reporter