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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 Emmanuel Matatu
verified Official Record
Lieutenant General

Lt Gen Emmanuel Matatu

Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu is a veteran of the ZIPRA liberation forces who trained at the Kohima Military Academy in Zambia. Engaged in guerilla operations during the liberation struggle. Later, he served in senior logistics and deployment planning roles for the ZNA during regional peacekeeping and SADC intervention exercises. Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu moved up through the ZNA General Staff, focusing on military administration. He commanded the ZNA briefly from March 2025 until November 2025, when he was promoted to full General and Commander of the ZDF.
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Tenure
2025 to 2025
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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.