Harare – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday removed the Zimbabwe National Army commander, Anselem Sanyatwe from his post with immediate effect, a government statement has announced.
Sanyatwe has been swiftly appointed the new Sports Minister replacing Kirsty Coventry who is the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president elect.
“The President, in his capacity as such as the 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,” Martin Rushwaya, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet said in a statement.
“And in terms of section 104 (3) of the constitution of, appoints Lieutenant General (Rtd) Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture with immediate effect.”
Sanyatwe, the number two in the army was in-charge of the ZNA, which is the bulk of the defence forces.
Mnangagwa did not give reasons for retiring Sanyatwe nor did he name Sanyatwe’s successor at the ZNA.
Sanyatwe served as the commander of the presidential guard when former president Robert Mugabe was removed in a coup in November 2017.
Sanyatwe was retired from the army before he served as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Tanzania.
He was recalled from the diplomatic service to become the ZNA commander.
Sanyatwe of late has been coordinating the change of commanders at different barracks across the country.
The removal of Sanyatwe comes at a time when mass protests have been called on March 31 by war veteran Blessed Geza.
Geza is wanted by police for undermining Mnangagwa and inciting violence charges, but the law enforcement agents are yet to arrest the former ZANU PF central committee member.
Geza has appeared in a video wearing a Zimbabwe army cap and a camouflage jacket addressing Zimbabweans criticizing Mnangagwa’s rule.