Valerio Sibanda’s term extended for another year

In a bid to ensure stability within the state security forces and keep his main political rival Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga at bay, while also coup-proofing his vulnerable regime, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Phillip Valerio Sibanda’s tenure by one more year.

In an official notice, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya said:

“General Notice 15 of 2025.DEFENCE ACT [CHAPTER 11:02]Extension of Term of the Commander of the ZimbabweDefence Forces

“IT is hereby notified that His Excellency the President has, in terms of proviso (i) to the Defence (Regular Force) (Officers) Regulations 1988, published in Statutory Instrument 152 of 1988, extended the appointment of General Philip Valerio Sibanda as Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces with effect from the 24th December 2024 to the 23rd November, 2025.

M. RUSHWAYA, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet.”

Sibanda is Mnangagwa’s close ally and practically kept him in power since he came in through a military coup in November 2017.Without Sibanda, Mnangagwa would be vulnerable to removal politically or through another coup as it almost happened in January 2019 while he was visiting Russia and other eastern European nations.

Mnangagwa is locked in a deadly power struggle with Chiwenga and his military-backed Zanu PF faction as he bids to extend his rule to 2030 beyond his 2028 second term constitutional limit.