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Leadership

Commanders

Information and resources regarding Commanders within the Zimbabwe National Army. A historical timeline honoring those who have guided our forces with distinction.

Lt Gen Constantino Chiwenga
verified Official Record
Lieutenant General

Lt Gen Constantino Chiwenga

Born in 1956, Chiwenga (war name Dominic Chinenge) joined the liberation war in 1973. He held various high-level brigadier roles throughout the 1980s before rising to lead the ZNA in 1994. General Chiwenga was a front-line commander in Mozambique during the liberation struggle. Crucially, he directed ZNA operations during the Second Congo War (1998–2002), deploying thousands of Zimbabwean troops to preserve the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He later advanced to become Commander of the ZDF in 2004, playing a pivotal role in the 2017 political transition. Currently serves as Zimbabwe's Vice President.
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Tenure
1994 to 2004
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Rank
Lieutenant General

Lieutenant General TRS Mujuru became the first Commander of the ZNA and served in that capacity until 1992 when he retired. Lieutenant General VMG Zvinavashe took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA up to 1994 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General CGDN Chiwenga took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA from 1994 to 2004 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General PV Sibanda took over command of the ZNA from 2004 and served in that capacity until 2018 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General EAC Chimonyo took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA from 2018 until his untimely death in 2021. Lieutenant General D Sigauke took over Command in 2021 and served in that capacity until 2023. In 2023, Lieutenant General Sanyatwe took over Command of the army and served as the Commander until 2025. In 2025, Lieutenant General E Matatu took over Command until 2025 and handed over to the current Commander Lieutenant General Tapfumaneyi.