Mnangagwa Appoints New Police Chief Amid Controversy

Senior Reporter

Harare- Zimbabwe President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has appointed Deputy Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba as the new Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), effective January 1, 2025. This development follows the retirement of incumbent Commissioner-General Godwin Tandabantu Matanga, who has been at the helm since 2018.

Matanga’s tenure was marked by controversy, including allegations of partisanship and human rights abuses. Under his leadership, the police were accused of cracking down on opposition activists and human rights defenders, with many facing arrest and detention.

Mutamba’s appointment has been met with mixed reactions, with some expressing concern over his own human rights record. The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on Mutamba for “undermining Zimbabwe’s democratic processes and institutions”.

As the new police chief, Mutamba will be expected to lead reforms and enhance professionalism within the ZRP. His appointment comes at a critical time for Zimbabwe, which continues to face challenges related to governance, security, and socio-economic stability.