Mnangagwa appoints army chief Anselem Sanyatwe as sports minister amid political tensions and security reshuffles ahead of the 2028 elections.

Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday appointed the country’s army chief, Anselem Sanyatwe, as the new sports minister.

In an official statement released by the presidency, it was announced that Sanyatwe had been retired from his position as army chief and reassigned to oversee the sports ministry. This appointment follows the departure of Kirsty Coventry, who previously held the position but vacated it earlier this month after being elected as the president of the International Olympic Committee.

Sanyatwe’s removal from the army comes amid heightened political tensions as Zimbabwe prepares for its next general elections in 2028. Political analysts suggest that Mnangagwa’s decision could be a strategic move to protect himself from a possible mutiny. Within the ruling Zanu-PF party, a faction is reportedly pushing for Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to take over the presidency. Chiwenga, who played a key role in ousting former leader Robert Mugabe in 2017, remains a significant political figure.

In recent months, Mnangagwa has also made changes within the country’s security sector, reshuffling the leadership of both the police force and the intelligence service. These moves suggest an ongoing effort to consolidate power and maintain stability within his administration.