In a shocking move that has stunned political observers and citizens alike, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has made a deeply controversial and possibly unconstitutional appointment by bringing Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander, General Phillip Valerio Sibanda, into the heart of Zanu PF’s political leadership. Announced at the ruling party’s annual conference in Gweru, this move is seen as a clear step towards militarising Zimbabwe’s political system, undermining the nation’s constitution, and tightening Mnangagwa’s grip on power.

General Sibanda, known in liberation war circles as Cde Gwenzi, has been appointed as an ex-officio member of the Zanu PF politburo — the party’s highest decision-making body. This stunning development comes amid growing fears that Mnangagwa is on a full-scale campaign to “coup-proof” his regime and neutralise his rivals, especially those within the military who may still be loyal to Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga.

The timing and nature of this appointment cannot be ignored. It follows the highly politicised appointment of Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe as commander of the Zimbabwe National Army. Sanyatwe, known for his key role in the 2017 coup that brought Mnangagwa to power, is a Chiwenga ally whom Mnangagwa reportedly distrusts. This internal power struggle has now spilled into the open, with the president making calculated moves to militarise Zanu PF and keep the army under his thumb.

But Mnangagwa’s appointment of a serving military commander to the politburo crosses a dangerous line — a constitutional one. Section 211 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution is crystal clear: “The Defence Forces must respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons and be non-partisan, national in character, patriotic, professional and subordinate to the civilian authority as established by this Constitution.” By inserting General Sibanda into Zanu PF’s political machinery, Mnangagwa has torn up this clause and spat in the face of constitutionalism.

This is not just another political stunt. It is a declaration of war against democracy.

The inclusion of active military personnel in partisan politics dismantles any illusion of Zimbabwe being a functioning democracy. It places the country firmly on the path of autocracy, where the lines between civilian governance and military control are deliberately blurred. It signals to the world that Zanu PF, under Mnangagwa, will stop at nothing to retain power — even if it means destroying constitutional order and dragging Zimbabwe back to a military dictatorship.

This action has severe consequences. It compromises the independence of the military, turning it into a political weapon instead of a national institution. It also sends a chilling message to opposition parties and civil society: that the military is now openly part of Zanu PF’s power structure, and any political contestation may be met not just with state machinery, but military force.

It’s also a massive betrayal of the liberation war ideals. The same people who fought to rid Zimbabwe of white minority rule and establish majority governance are now watching their comrades turn the country into a one-party military state. General Sibanda, once hailed as a liberation war hero, is now being used as a pawn in Mnangagwa’s desperate campaign to cling to power beyond 2028.

Zimbabweans must now ask the hard question: what is left of the constitution if even the military clause is ignored? If Mnangagwa can openly place a uniformed general into his party leadership, what’s to stop him from declaring martial law tomorrow? What’s to stop him from postponing elections or using soldiers to crush dissent?

This is no longer about party politics. This is about the survival of Zimbabwe’s democracy.

The opposition, civil society, and the international community must rise with one voice and condemn this illegal appointment. Silence is complicity. General Sibanda must resign from the politburo immediately or retire from the military if he wishes to play politics. The Constitution must be defended at all costs — or else Zimbabwe risks becoming another failed state, ruled by generals in suits, hiding behind the mask of elections.

Mnangagwa’s reckless move has placed Zimbabwe on the edge of political disaster. The people must choose whether to accept a military-backed dictatorship or stand up and fight for the constitutional democracy they deserve. The time to speak is now — before it is too late.