Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander General Philip Valerio Sibanda is expected to retire next month in what sources describe as a carefully managed transition that could mark his entry into active politics. Insiders say the process is being quietly overseen by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, signalling possible plans to position Sibanda for a senior post within ZANU PF’s top leadership.
According to reports by The Masvingo Mirror, preparations for the handover of command at the KG6 Barracks in Harare are already underway. General Sibanda, who has led the Defence Forces since December 2017 following Constantino Chiwenga’s appointment as Vice President, is currently on pre-retirement leave and expected to formally exit service by November 23, 2025. Sources close to the process say the handover–takeover ceremony is tentatively scheduled for November 9, though the official announcement is being tightly controlled from State House.
While ZDF Director of Public Relations Colonel Charles Mutizhe dismissed the reports as speculative, saying no official communication had been issued, senior Defence Ministry officials confirmed that retirement arrangements are already in progress. “For now, there has been no formal communication. Should the General retire, the media will be informed through an official statement,” said Mutizhe. Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri declined to comment, citing protocol.
General Sibanda, who turned 71 this year, has served at the helm of the military for eight years and is widely regarded as one of the most disciplined and professional commanders of his generation. His tenure has been marked by a steady, low-profile approach, in contrast to the politically vocal posture of some of his predecessors.
Despite maintaining an apolitical image for much of his career, Sibanda found himself briefly embroiled in controversy last year when President Mnangagwa appointed him as an ex officio member of the ZANU PF Politburo. The decision — unprecedented for a serving commander — was widely viewed as a calculated attempt to draw the respected general into the political fold and reinforce Mnangagwa’s control within both the party and the security establishment.
However, the move sparked legal and political backlash. Constitutional experts, including Advocate Tabani Mpofu, denounced the appointment as a direct violation of Section 208(3) of the Constitution, which bars serving security officers from engaging in political activities. Within weeks, Sibanda’s name was quietly withdrawn from the Politburo list, averting a potential court challenge but exposing growing concerns over the blurred lines between the army and ruling party politics.
General Philip Valerio Sibanda Set to Retire Next Month Amid Speculation of Political Role
Analysts, however, say the brief appointment revealed Mnangagwa’s long-term strategy. “The President was testing the waters for Sibanda’s post-military transition,” said a Harare-based political analyst. “He wanted to integrate him into the ZANU PF hierarchy as a stabilising force — someone who could command respect within the army while maintaining the appearance of neutrality.”
Sibanda’s imminent retirement comes amid a broader shake-up of Zimbabwe’s security leadership, as Mnangagwa consolidates control ahead of the 2028 elections. In recent months, the President has appointed Stephen Mutamba as Commissioner-General of Police, replacing Godwin Matanga, and named Fulton Mangwaya as Director-General of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), taking over from Isaac Moyo.
Political observers interpret these appointments as part of Mnangagwa’s broader strategy to weaken factions aligned with Vice President Chiwenga, who still retains strong backing among segments of the military and war veterans. “This is a classic consolidation move,” said a ZANU PF insider. “Mnangagwa wants total control of the security sector as the country moves closer to another election cycle.”
Within ruling party circles, there is mounting speculation that General Sibanda could be rewarded with a senior political or cabinet post following his retirement. Some suggest he could be reintroduced to the ZANU PF Politburo or appointed as a minister in the security or foreign affairs portfolio — positions that would keep him close to the centre of power while preventing him from emerging as an independent political figure.
“Mnangagwa wants Sibanda close enough to retain influence over the military but not powerful enough to become a political alternative,” a senior party official told The Masvingo Mirror.
Since assuming command of the ZDF in the aftermath of the 2017 military-assisted transition that ousted the late Robert Mugabe, General Sibanda has been praised for maintaining professionalism and avoiding overt political entanglements. His calm, measured leadership helped restore stability within the ranks following years of internal rivalries and factionalism.
Yet, as Zimbabwe’s political and military lines continue to intertwine, Sibanda’s post-retirement path will be closely monitored. His next role — whether in government, diplomacy, or the party — could significantly influence the balance of power within the Mnangagwa administration and ZANU PF itself.
Analysts say Mnangagwa’s management of Sibanda’s transition will serve as a key indicator of how the President intends to structure his power base ahead of succession talks. “Sibanda’s next move will tell us a lot about the future of civil-military relations in Zimbabwe,” said one political commentator. “If he joins the political elite, it cements the pattern of the military’s ongoing influence in governance.”
As the date of his retirement approaches, the question remains whether General Sibanda will retreat from public life or step into the political arena. Either way, his departure marks the end of a defining era in Zimbabwe’s military leadership — and the beginning of another strategic chapter in the country’s ever-evolving power dynamics.
Source- ZimEye
