Zimbabwe: Mnangagwa Elevates Retired General Sibanda to Zanu-PF Politburo

Rick Bajornas / UN Photo
Emmerson Mnangagwa.
11 May 2026
263Chat (Harare)
By Elia Ntali

Retired army commander Philip Valerio Sibanda has been appointed to the ruling ZANU-PF politburo in a move announced by party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa.

In a statement, Mutsvangwa said President and Zanu-PF First Secretary Emmerson Mnangagwa had exercised his powers under the party constitution to appoint General (Retired) Sibanda to the influential body with immediate effect.

"The ZANU PF First Secretary and President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa exercising His mandate in terms of Article 9, Section 65 as read with Section 67 of the ZANU PF Constitution, has appointed General (Rtd) Philip Valerio Sibanda to the ZANU PF Politburo. This appointment is with immediate effect," Mutsvangwa said in the statement.

The Politburo is one of Zanu-PF's highest decision-making organs, responsible for shaping party policy and overseeing strategic direction.

Sibanda, a former commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is regarded as one of the country's most senior military figures in recent decades.

His appointment marks a significant transition from military leadership into formal party politics.

Read the original article on 263Chat.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2026 263Chat. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 90 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.