Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended the tenure of Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander, General Philip Valerio Sibanda, for another year. The extension, announced after Sibanda reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 in December 2024, has sparked legal controversy.
According to a notice in the Government Gazette, Sibanda’s new term will run from December 24, 2024, to November 23, 2025. This decision has been criticized by legal experts, with prominent lawyer Thabani Mpofu calling it a breach of the law. Mpofu argued that Sibanda’s retirement, mandated by law at age 70, cannot be undone. He described the move as legally flawed, asserting, “A term that has already expired cannot be extended.”
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Behind the scenes, sources revealed that General Sibanda resisted attempts to enforce his retirement, citing provisions in the Defence (Regular Force) (Officers) Regulations of 1988. Attorney General Virginia Mabhiza reportedly advised that Sibanda’s time in office was up, but after discussions involving the Chief Secretary to the President, Martin Rushwaya, a compromise was reached to extend his tenure.
General Sibanda has been ZDF Commander since 2017, succeeding Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. His term extension coincides with Mnangagwa’s recent reshuffling of leadership in other key security agencies, including the police and intelligence serv
ices.
