Tafadzwa Nyikadzino

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has terminated the tenure of the Zimbabwe National Army commander Retired Lieutenant General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe today and re-assigned him to occupy a position in his cabinet.

In a statement, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya said Rtd Lt General Sanyatwe has been re-assigned to head the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture with immediate effect. This follows the termination of the contract of former Minister Kirsty Coventry after her recent election as the leader of the International Olympic Committee.

“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

As 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.

“And: In terms of section 104 (3) of the Constitution, appoints

Lieutenant General (Rtd) Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe as Minister

Of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture with immediate effect,” the statement reads.

Sanyatwe was appointed ZNA commander on 20 October 2023 and served in this position until 25 March 2025