HARARE – Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has confirmed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent reshuffle of senior leaders in the security sector was meant to suppress the uprising that had been called for by former party Central Committee member Blessed Geza.
Last week, five days before the 31 March uprising, Mnangagwa appointed Major General Emmanuel Matatu (74) as the new Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).
Matatu replaced Anselem Sanyatwe (69) who was retired and appointed Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture. Sanyatwe is thought to be an ally of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who is allegedly clashing with Mnangagwa over the succession plan.
The appointments were allegedly made to counter a potential military coup similar to the 17 November 2017 scenario where the late former President Robert Mugabe was ousted by the army.
In January, Mnangagwa named Fulton Mangwanya, the former head of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, as the new Director-General of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO). The move saw Mangwanya take over from Isaac Moyo, a close ally of the President.
In December last year, the President appointed Stephen Mutamba as the new Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), succeeding Godwin Matanga.
Addressing journalists at the Zanu-PF headquarters in Harare, Mutsvangwa confirmed that the appointments were meant to ensure that an uprising does not succeed.
“The President, to make sure that the state apparatus was in safe hands, he made dramatic changes in the structures of our state apparatus,” Mutsvangwa stated.
“I want to congratulate the new leaders who were put in place as we approach 31 March.
“They have proved their capacity by making sure that they are loyal to the President of the Republic, that they defend the interests of the people of Zimbabwe and that they keep the professional traditions of our state apparatus intact. It is well respected, all over Africa.
“So, hats off to General Emmanuel Matatu. Hats off to comrade Shepherd Mutamba at ZRP. Hats off to Central Intelligence Director Fulton Mangwanya.”
