Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Senior Reporter
President Mnangagwa has promoted Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu to the rank of General and appointed him as Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, effective 21 November 2025. The appointment follows the retirement of General Philip Valerio Sibanda.
In a related move, Major General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi has been promoted to Lieutenant General and will assume the role of Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, effective 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.
