Zim President Mnangagwa Fires Police Chief Godwin Matanga
Replaces him with his Deputy
By Kwedu News
President Emerson Mnangagwa has fired Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Tandabantu Godwin Matanga from his post with effect from January 1, 2025, and will be replaced by his Deputy, Stephen Mutamba, Kwedu News can reveal.
A statement released by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. Martin Rushwaya, on Friday (December 20, 2024), says Matanga will leave office with immediate effect.
“His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has, in terms of Section 340(1)(f) as read with section 221(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, retired Commissioner General Tandabantu Godwin Matanga from the post of Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
“The retirement is with effect from after duty on 31st December 2024,” the statement by the Zimbabwe Chief Secretary reads.
His term of office was originally meant to end in 2028.
In another statement, published simultaneously, the Chief Secretary Dr. Rushwaya announced the appointment of Deputy Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba to the Police Commissioner-General post.
“In terms of Section 221(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has appointed Deputy Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba as Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
“The appointment is with effect from 1st January 2025,” he said.
Commissioner-General Matanga was appointed by President Mnangagwa in 2018 following the ouster of the late long-time President, Robert Mugabe, during the 2017 military assisted leadership transition.
Commission-General Matanga replaced Augustine Chihuri, who went into exile in 2017.
Prior to his appointment as Commissioner General, Matanga had served as Deputy Commissioner General for 26 years.
A report by the Zimbabwe Independent earlier in November 2024 says the move is reportedly part of a larger shake-up in the ZRP, aimed at revitalizing the law enforcement institution and ensuring alignment with President Mnangagwa’s vision to fight corruption in the police force.
Commissioner-General Matanga is reportedly expected to be reassigned to a diplomatic role.
