President Emmerson Mnangagwa has removed Lieutenant General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe as Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army and reassigned him as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture with immediate effect.
The announcement was made through an official press statement issued on March 25, 2025, by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. M. Rushwaya. According to the statement, the decision was made in accordance with sections 216 (2), 340 (1) (f), and 115 of the Constitution and the Defence Act [Chapter 11:02].
The reassignment of Lieutenant General (Rtd) Sanyatwe follows the departure of Kirsty Coventry, the former Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture. Coventry recently stepped down from her ministerial position after being elected as President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Sanyatwe’s transition from the military to a civilian ministerial role marks a significant reshuffle within the Zimbabwean government. Journalist Hopewell Chin,ono has described this as a political move meant to silent the opposing voices.
The removal of Sanyatwe as army chief has sparked discussions about the govers sporting landscape evolving, stakeholders will be keen to see how Sanyatwe’s military background influences the development of sports, arts, and culture in the country.
