President Mnangagwa Retires Army Commander Anselem Sanyatwe, Appoints Him Sports Minister Replacing Kirsty Coventry
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has retired Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe from his role as Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and appointed him as the new Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture. He replaces Kirsty Coventry, who recently stepped down.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, 25 March 2025, by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya.
President Mnangagwa Retires Army Commander Anselem Sanyatwe
Rushwaya said the termination of Sanyatwe’s tenure as Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) was made in terms of In terms of section 216 (2) (Command of Defence Forces) as read with section 340 (1) (f) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and section 115 (Commander in Chief Prerogative) of the Defence Act [Chapter 11:02]
“In terms of section 216 (2) (Command of Defence Forces) as read with section 340 (1) (f) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and section 115 (Commander in Chief Prerogative) of the Defence Act [Chapter 11:02], the President, in His capacity as such and as Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces has relieved and retired, Lieutenant General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and as Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army with immediate effect,” part of the statement reads.
President Mnangagwa Appoints Anselem Sanyatwe as New Sports Minister
Rushwaya said President Mnangagwa appointed Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe as the new Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture in terms of section 104 (3) of the Constitution. Both the termination and appointment are with immediate effect.
“In terms of section 104 (3) of the Constitution, appoints Lieutenant General (Rtd) Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture with immediate effect,” the statement ends.
Kirsty Coventry had indicated that she’d be stepping down as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture to focus on her new role as the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
