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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 Vitalis Zvinavashe
verified Official Record
Lieutenant General

Lt Gen Vitalis Zvinavashe

Born in 1943, he was a prominent member of the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) High Command and the Joint High Command during the transition period. He assumed command of the ZNA upon Mujuru's retirement. General Zvinavashe consolidated professional training in the army and managed the tail-end of Zimbabwe's combat operations in Mozambique and directed the country's early United Nations peacekeeping contribution to Somalia (UNOSOM II). In 1994, he became the first black Commander of the overarching Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF). He passed away in 2009.
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Tenure
1992 to 1994
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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.