Mnangagwa names Lt Gen David Sigauke as new army commander

HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday named Lieutenant General David Sigauke as the new commander of the Zimbabwe National Army.

Sigauke, who was Chief of Staff (General Staff), replaces Lieutenant General Edzai Chimonyo, who succumbed to cancer last month.

Brigadier General Emmanuel Matatu, who headed the Zimbabwe National Defence University, is the new Chief of Staff (Administration Staff).

The appointments were announced by defence minister Oppah Muchinguri.

Brigadier General Sydney Bhebhe, who is retiring, was promoted to the rank of Major General – a long established practice within the military.

Major General Kasirai Tazira moves from Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) headquarters, where he was Inspector General, to take over Sigauke’s old job at Army Headquarters as Chief of Staff (General Staff).

Major General Paul Chima is the new Inspector General. Major General Hlanganani Dube remains at Army Headquarters as Chief of Staff (Quartermaster).

Muchinguri-Kashiri told Lt Gen Sigauke: “As leader of the ZNA, you will be expected to rally soldiers in implementing government programmes. You will also have responsibility to look after the welfare of the forces inculcating discipline and loyalty as well as capacitating them to adequately defend the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”