HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promoted Major General Walter Tapfumaneyi to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed him as the new Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, effective 25 November 2025.
The appointment was announced in an official government notice issued today, citing Section 216(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, together with Sections 11(1)(a) and 11(4) of the Defence Act [Chapter 11:02].
Lieutenant General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi succeeds Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu, who has been promoted to the rank of General and elevated to the position of Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
In addition, the appointment of Matatu to the position of Commander follows the retirement of outgoing Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda.
The brief statement from the Office of the President and Cabinet praised the outgoing army commander for his service while confirming the new leadership changes within the top echelons of the country’s military hierarchy.
Tapfumaneyi, a veteran officer with extensive command experience, assumes leadership of the Zimbabwe National Army at a time when the military continues to play a prominent role in national security peacekeeping operations.
The changes mark the latest reshuffle in Zimbabwe’s defence forces since President Mnangagwa assumed office in 2017, reflecting ongoing efforts to refresh senior military leadership with officers aligned to the current administration.
The new appointments take effect next week, on 25 November 2025.
