HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), has appointed former Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) deputy director general Walter Tapfumaneyi as Chief of Staff in the Zimbabwe National Army.
The appointment sees Tapfumaneyi, a retired brigadier general, promoted to the rank of Major General. He replaces Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu, who was recently elevated to army commander.
The appointment has drawn attention due to Tapfumaneyi’s controversial past.
Opposition parties and human rights groups accused him of coordinating efforts to intimidate voters during the August 2023 general elections, allegedly in conjunction with the ruling Zanu-PF-aligned Forever Association of Zimbabwe (FAZ).
International observer missions, including the European Union Election Observer Mission (EUEOM), the Commonwealth observer mission, and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), issued scathing assessments of FAZ’s role in the 2023 elections.
EUEOM Chief Observer Fabio Massimo Castaldo stated that FAZ members intimidated the electorate, noting their “intimidating presence” at many rallies and first-hand reports of coerced attendance at Zanu-PF events.
The Commonwealth report highlighted concerns over FAZ’s presence near polling stations, where members were allegedly recording voters’ names and identification numbers, fueling allegations of voter intimidation.
SADC also concurred, noting reports that the rural vote might have been compromised by alleged intimidation attributed to FAZ, described as a “quasi-security intelligence organisation.”
In March 2024, the United States placed Tapfumaneyi under sanctions for “leading the campaign to disrupt the 2023 electoral process through his leadership of ruling party-affiliated groups.”
The U.S. Department of the Treasury further alleged that Tapfumaneyi “is also alleged to have been personally involved in past kidnappings.”
According to ZimLive, sources familiar with the developments suggest that Mnangagwa is reportedly grooming Tapfumaneyi for the position of army commander, with expectations that he could succeed Matatu before 2027.
Tapfumaneyi had left the CIO in March and was reportedly “parked at his farm in Banket” prior to his confirmed appointment on Wednesday.
In related developments within the CIO leadership, Cephas Hodzi has replaced Tapfumaneyi as deputy director general in charge of operations.
Paul Chikawa has been appointed director general for external affairs, and Benadate Mandongwe becomes deputy director general for administration.
I think we Zimbabweans have to be realistic. ZANUPF leaders are not here to SERVE but to be SERVED. I call this idealogy "uShefuism". This phenomenon developed during the war years.MaShefu/IziKhulu stayed in leafy suburbs in Maputo and Lusaka courtesy of the Moz and Zambian government. The MaShefu only periodically visited the camps to see the "suffering rank and file". uShefuism was brought into government by ZANUPF and PFZAPU in 1980.Even the quarells between the parties was not about service but "EATING".The class nature of uShefuism is that MaShefu "dont actually see poverty or suffering". That is why public hospitals can suffer without medicines and equipment but MaShefu will always get their multiple SUVs. In 2024 on the day ED was dishing Ford Rangers to army Gwanda District hospital was appealing for food aid for patients!It is in the light of maintaining uShefuism that you should see changes in the ZRP,ZNA,CIO and Prisons. First these institutions have become VERY TOP Heavy. In 1980 we only had two Major Generals, two ZRP DC now we have a multitude of brigadiers, police commissioners and a cabinet larger than that of RSA. This is the nature of uShefuism. It actually holds the country back because leaders dont see beyond today.As long as oShefu are ok ordinary Zimbos can go to hell. So the insults that Zimbos endure as they try to get medical services in RSA are not "seen".Zimbos dying in disused mines are "not seen".Graduates who cant get jobs "are not seen". If you dare "see" and complain loudly you become a "Mhlanga", you rot in prison. No sympathy for you to dare challenge the gravy train even newspapers are "praise singers". Government projects become milk cows for o Shefu and their kids.That is why all projects are an opportunity to profiteer.I believe that Zimbos will one day regain freedom:what we have endured over the last 45 years is a kleptocracy and they have managed to divide us. We focus on our tribal differences as the MaShefu (both Shona and Ndebele) continue to LOOT.