President Emmerson Mnangagwa has retired Zimbabwe’s army chief Anselem Sanyatwe and appointed him as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture to replace International Olympic Committee-bound Kirsty Coventry.
The announcement, made on Tuesday by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya, follows Kirsty Coventry’s resignation from the post.
Coventry, who made history on March 20 as the first African and woman to be elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), stepped down to focus on her new role.
The 41-year-old Zimbabwean was chosen in a secret ballot during the 114th IOC Session in Greece for an eight-year term.
Mnangagwa retired Sanyatwe from his position as Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army to assume the ministerial role.
According to Rushwaya, the decision was made in line with constitutional provisions, with both the termination of Sanyatwe’s military duties and his appointment as minister taking immediate effect.
JN/APA