Emmanuel Matatu

Last updated
General
Emmanuel Matatu
Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces
Incumbent
Assumed office
21 November 2025
Branch/service Zimbabwe National Army
Years of service1976 - present
Rank General
Battles/wars Second Congo War

Emmanuel Matatu (born 1960 [2] ) is a Zimbabwean General and Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). On 19 November 2025, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed him Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces effective from 21 November 2025. [3] He was formerly the Chief of Staff of the Army's administration staff.

Matatu grew up in Midlands Province and attended boarding school at Thekwane High School north of Plumtree. [4] In the 1970s, as a young man he joined the Zimbabwe People's Republic Army (ZIPRA) training as a guerrilla in Mwembeshi, Zambia. [4] [5] Based on frontline combat experience, Matatu was selected for the officer’s course at the Zambia Military Academy at Kohima, [4] where he performed exceptionally well. [6]

In 2001, President Mugabe promoted Matatu to Brigadier General. [7] Thereafter he was appointed as Deputy Coordinator of the Zimbabwe National Defence University. [8]

In August 2021, he was promoted to Major General by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. At that time he moved into the Army Headquarters as the Chief of Staff of the Army's administration staff. [8]

In March 2025, Matatu was promoted by President Mnangagwa to the rank of Lieutenant General, and put in charge of the National Army. [5] [9] He replaced Lieutenant General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe who was appointed as the new Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, taking over from Kirsty Coventry, following her election as President of the International Olympic Committee. [5]

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Mabika, Columbus (2025-04-12). "We have to be professional in everything we do". The Herald. Charles Gumbo Barracks, Harare: The Herald. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  2. ↑ Mabika, Columbus (2025-04-12). "We have to be professional in everything we do". The Herald. Charles Gumbo Barracks, Harare: The Herald. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  3. ↑ "President appoints new ZDF commander". The Herald. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  4. 1 2 3 "Who is Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu?". Bulawayo 24 News. 28 March 2025. Archived from the original on 28 March 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 Nyoka, Shingai (28 March 2025). "Under-fire Zimbabwe president names new army chief". BBC News.
  6. ↑ Sibanda, Mkhululi (1 May 2016). "Creating military corridor along the Zambezi". The Sunday News . Harare, Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016.
  7. ↑ "Zimbabwean President Promotes 13 Senior Army Officers". People's Daily Online. 7 December 2001. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017.
  8. 1 2 Chikwati, Elita (7 August 2021). "President appoints new ZNA chief". The Herald . Harare, Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021.
  9. ↑ "Mnangagwa Appoints New Zimbabwe National Army Commander". Zimbabwe Mail. 27 March 2025.


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