President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe has removed the country’s top military official, Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe, from his post and reassigned him to serve as Minister of Sports—a move that is fuelling speculation of internal tensions and pre-emptive maneuvering ahead of the 2028 general elections.
In an official statement released Tuesday, the Zimbabwean presidency confirmed that Sanyatwe had been “retired and reassigned” following the recent vacancy in the sports ministry. The role became open earlier this month after former minister Kirsty Coventry was elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), marking a historic milestone for the continent.
However, Sanyatwe’s sudden shift from army leadership to a civilian cabinet position has triggered widespread speculation of a political shakeup, with some analysts suggesting that President Mnangagwa is attempting to neutralize potential military threats to his authority.
Rumors of Internal Rivalries
The timing of the reassignment has not gone unnoticed. Political observers believe the president’s decision may be rooted in efforts to consolidate control within the ruling Zanu-PF party, amid persistent rumors of a brewing power struggle between Mnangagwa and his deputy, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
Chiwenga, the former army general who played a pivotal role in ousting longtime leader Robert Mugabe in 2017, remains a powerful and influential figure within the government and the party. His close ties to the military and growing popularity among Zanu-PF loyalists have fueled speculation that he may be eyeing a presidential bid ahead of 2028.
“This move signals Mnangagwa’s awareness of the fault lines within the party and the military,” said Dr. Tendai Mandaza, a Harare-based political analyst. “Removing a top army figure like Sanyatwe under the guise of a cabinet reshuffle may be a strategy to disrupt any emerging alliances with Chiwenga.”
Coup Fears and Political Stability
Zimbabwe has a history of political power shifts driven by military influence, most notably the 2017 coup that led to Mugabe’s resignation after nearly four decades in power. Since then, the military’s involvement in politics has remained a sensitive and closely watched issue.
Although no evidence of a coup plot has been presented, the reassignment has raised eyebrows among diplomats and regional observers who see it as a precautionary measure by a leader looking to avoid the fate of his predecessor.
As of press time, Lieutenant General Sanyatwe has not made any public comment regarding his reassignment. His military tenure has been marked by both loyalty to Mnangagwa and controversy, including allegations of human rights abuses during post-election unrest in 2018.
His new role as Sports Minister is seen by many as a symbolic demotion, far removed from the high-stakes realm of national security.
Looking Ahead to 2028
With Zimbabwe’s next general elections more than three years away, Mnangagwa’s latest cabinet reshuffle may indicate early positioning for political survival. Whether this move will calm internal rivalries or further stoke tensions within the military and Zanu-PF remains to be seen.
