President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), is set to preside over a farewell, handover and takeover parade at Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare on Monday. The ceremony marks the transfer of ZDF command from General Philip Valerio Sibanda to General Emmanuel Matatu.
The parade follows the retirement of Gen Sibanda and the elevation of Lieutenant-General Matatu to the rank of General. President Mnangagwa has also promoted Major-General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi to Lieutenant General, effective November 25, 2025, appointing him Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). He takes over from Gen Matatu.
According to the promotion notices, the President exercised his powers under section 216(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, read together with relevant provisions of the Defence Act (Chapter 11:02), which allow him—on the advice of the Minister of Defence—to confer higher ranks in recognition of distinguished or gallant service.
“His Excellency… promoted Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu to the rank of General and appointed him Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, effective from November 21, 2025,” reads part of the official statement. Another notice confirms the promotion of Maj-Gen Tapfumaneyi and his appointment as ZNA Commander.
Lt-Gen Matatu previously succeeded Lt-Gen (Retired) Anselem Sanyatwe, who left the army in March to take up the post of Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture. Before his latest elevation, Maj-Gen Tapfumaneyi served as a Deputy Director-General in the President’s Department from 2020.
Gen Sibanda retires after more than 50 years of distinguished military service. Born on December 24, 1954, in Guinea Fowl, he completed his early education at Kana Mission and Mount Mary’s School before briefly working at Bata Shoe Company. In 1974, he left Rhodesia for Zambia and joined ZIPRA, later completing training in Tanzania.
He went on to receive commando training in Lebanon with the Palestine Liberation Organisation and subsequently served as an instructor at Morogoro Training Camp. Between 1976 and 1977, he commanded ZIPRA training camps in Zambia before being appointed a Regional Commander inside Zimbabwe. In 1979, he joined the ZIPRA High Command and participated in the Lancaster House negotiations.
During the ceasefire, he served as Liaison Officer for ZIPRA assembly points in Mashonaland West. After Independence, he joined Headquarters 2 Brigade and later underwent senior officers’ courses before being commissioned as a Colonel in the ZNA on April 18, 1981. He subsequently held senior posts, including Colonel Quartermaster and Commandant of the Battalion Battle School and the Zimbabwe Staff College.
Gen Sibanda rose to Brigadier General, commanding the 4 Infantry Brigade in Masvingo and leading United Nations peacekeeping missions. He later became a Major General and ZNA Chief of Staff (General Staff). He commanded the Zimbabwe National Army from 2003 to 2017 before being appointed Commander of the ZDF, a position he has held under the Second Republic until his retirement.
