The move, widely anticipated since 2018, underscores Mnangagwa’s efforts to consolidate power within Zimbabwe’s law enforcement apparatus.
Matanga, who has held the position since February 2018, will remain in office until 31 December 2024.
His tenure began in the wake of the November 2017 military coup that ousted Robert Mugabe, replacing long-serving commissioner Augustine Chihuri.
However, insiders have long regarded Matanga’s role as temporary, with Mutamba seen as Mnangagwa’s preferred successor.
Mutamba, who has served in various key roles within the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), including crime and operations, was sanctioned by the United States in 2022 for actions deemed to undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes.
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The U.S. accused him of using intimidation against opposition parties and supporting policies that restricted political freedoms.
Critics view Mutamba’s appointment as a strategic move by Mnangagwa to tighten control ahead of future elections, with Mutamba being a staunch loyalist.
His reassignment from administration back into prominent roles since 2019 hinted at his ascension to the top of the police hierarchy.
Observers have noted Mnangagwa’s pattern of rewarding close allies with key positions to ensure unwavering loyalty, further entrenching his authority within Zimbabwe’s political and security landscape.