The recent appointment of Stephen Mutamba as Zimbabwe’s new police commissioner-general is not just a reshuffle—it is a calculated power move. This decision confirms what many have feared: that President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his regime are no longer hiding their intentions. They are openly installing loyal enforcers to consolidate power and crush any future dissent.

Mutamba’s rise is not based on merit, competence, or a desire to serve the people. It is purely political. For years, it was an open secret that Mnangagwa wanted him in this position. Now, the plan has been executed. Mutamba has been handed the police force, not as a guardian of law and order, but as a political weapon for Zanu PF.

His appointment replaces Tandabantu Godwin Matanga, who took over from Augustine Chihuri after the 2017 coup. Matanga was always seen as a placeholder—installed to help Mnangagwa stabilise his rule after Mugabe’s removal. His leadership failed to reform the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), a force still known for corruption, violence, and human rights violations. Now, with Matanga set to remain in office until December 31, 2024, Zimbabwe is left in a bizarre scenario where two top commanders will overlap, creating confusion and chaos that benefits only those in power.

Stephen Mutamba is no unknown figure. His record is as dark as it is clear. He was strategically moved around within the force—first from Crime to Operations in 2019, then to Administration in 2021. Each move placed him closer to the centre of power. It’s not about what he achieved—because there’s little to point to—but about how loyal he has been to Mnangagwa.

In 2022, the United States saw through the façade. They slapped Mutamba with sanctions for playing a key role in oppressing opposition parties and civil society groups. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Mutamba’s enforcement was selective—Zanu PF rallies went ahead, while opposition meetings were violently shut down. That was not law enforcement. That was regime protection.

Mutamba has also been accused of blocking election observers and hiding election results. These are not minor issues—they go to the heart of democracy. When a police commissioner interferes in elections, democracy dies. And Mnangagwa knows this. That is why Mutamba has been rewarded.

This appointment is not a reform. It is a declaration of war on the people’s freedoms. It is a clear sign that Mnangagwa is preparing for 2030—not just with constitutional changes, but with full control over the state’s repressive machinery. With the military in his corner and the police under his thumb, Mnangagwa is building a system where opposition will be criminalised and resistance punished.

Zimbabwe’s police force has never truly served the people, but under Mutamba, it will sink even lower. We can expect more arrests of activists. More beatings of protesters. More silencing of the press. The badge will become a symbol of fear, not of protection.

This is the new Zimbabwe Mnangagwa is building: where elections are managed by soldiers, laws are enforced by loyalists, and dissent is handled by force.

But Zimbabweans are watching. They are not blind to what’s happening. They know that this is not just about Mutamba—it is about a regime that fears losing power and will do anything to keep it.

The international community must also take this moment seriously. Statements and targeted sanctions are no longer enough. Coordinated diplomatic pressure, increased support for civil society, and stronger monitoring of human rights abuses are needed now more than ever.

Mutamba is not a leader. He is an enforcer. His appointment is not a fresh start—it is a red flag. And for the people of Zimbabwe, it is a chilling reminder that the road to democracy will not be easy.

The fight continues. The resistance grows. And the struggle for freedom must not stop.