President Emmerson Mnangagwa has retired Lieutenant General (Rtd) Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe from his role as Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) commander and appointed him as the new Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture.
Sanyatwe takes over from Kirsty Coventry, who recently made history by becoming the first woman to be elected as President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Due to her new position, Coventry has stepped down from the Zimbabwean cabinet. Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya, confirmed that she would be relocating to Greece for her IOC duties.
Following Sanyatwe’s retirement from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and his role as ZNA Commander, Mnangagwa appointed him to lead the Ministry of Sport. Some observers speculate that this move is influenced by internal factional politics within the ruling Zanu PF party.
Rushwaya announced that, under sections 216(2) and 340(1)(f) of the Zimbabwean Constitution, along with section 115 of the Defence Act, Mnangagwa, as Commander in Chief, had relieved and retired Sanyatwe from his military duties with immediate effect.
Additionally, in line with section 104(3) of the Constitution, Sanyatwe has been officially appointed as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture, also with immediate effect.
Coventry’s election as IOC President is a historic achievement, as she is the first woman, the first African, and the youngest individual to assume the role.
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