Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Major General Emmanuel Matatu as the new commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, replacing Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe, who was abruptly retired and reassigned as the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture. The announcement comes at a critical time as the country braces for planned protests on Monday, organized by a faction of war veterans demanding Mnangagwa’s resignation over alleged corruption and economic mismanagement.
The decision to reshuffle the military leadership has fueled speculation that Mnangagwa is consolidating power and ensuring loyalty within the armed forces ahead of the demonstrations. The war veterans, once among Mnangagwa’s strongest backers, have accused his administration of failing to address Zimbabwe’s deepening economic crisis, characterized by hyperinflation, unemployment, and food insecurity.
Monday’s protests are expected to draw significant public participation, with opposition groups and civil society organizations also voicing their discontent. Security forces have been placed on high alert, and analysts believe the government could use heavy-handed measures to quell dissent.
The military has played a decisive role in Zimbabwean politics in recent years, having facilitated Mnangagwa’s rise to power in 2017 when longtime leader Robert Mugabe was ousted. However, growing dissatisfaction within both the security establishment and the ruling ZANU-PF party suggests that Mnangagwa is facing one of the most significant challenges to his rule since taking office.
Observers warn that the upcoming protests could escalate tensions in the country, testing the government’s ability to manage both political unrest and internal fractures within the ruling elite.
