Mnangagwa retires army commander Sanyatwe to take up Coventry’s sports ministry

By Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has retired Zimbabwe National Army commander Lieutenant General Sanyatwe and reappointed him as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, a position that was being occupied by Kirsty Coventry who now leaves government service to take up her new job as International Olympics Committee president Kirsty Coventry.

In two separate statements released Tuesday, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya said the changes were with immediate effect.

Rushwaya said, “In terms of section 216 (2) (Command of Defence Forces) as read with section 340 (1) (f) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and section 115 (Commander in Chief Prerogative) of the Defence Act [Chapter 11:02], the President, in His capacity as such and as Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces has relieved and retired, Lieutenant General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and as Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army with immediate effect”.

He added, “In terms of section 104 (3) of the Constitution, appoints Lieutenant General (Rtd) Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture with immediate effect.”

Rushwaya also said Mnangagwa has “relieved Honourable Kirsty Coventry from her position as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture following her well deserved election as the President of the International Olympic Committee.”