Mnangagwa’s appointment of new police chief sparks political charges for clan members

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent appointment of Stephen Mutamba as the new Commissioner-General of Police, effective January 1, 2025, has sparked accusations of clan politics, deepening concerns about ethnic favoritism in the Zimbabwean government. Mutamba, who hails from Chipinda area bordering Bikita and Zaka districts in Masvingo province, replaces Tandabantu Godwin Matanga in the key national security role.

Clan politics, a practice of favoring one’s ethnic group or clan in political appointments, has been a long-standing problem in Zimbabwe. Critics say Mnangagwa is perpetuating and intensifying this divisive tradition, which dates back to the late former president Robert Mugabe, who predominantly held senior government positions with people from the Zezuru sub-group of the Shona majority.

Zimbabwe’s constitution explicitly requires government appointments to reflect the country’s ethnic diversity, which includes 15 recognized ethnic groups. The intention is to ensure proportional representation and fair governance in a multicultural nation. However, Mnangagwa’s critics say he has defied this constitutional requirement by consolidating power by appointing people predominantly from his home provinces of Midlands and Masvingo.
Allegations of Karanga hegemony

Since taking power in a 2017 coup against Mugabe, Mnangagwa has faced mounting accusations of promoting a “political project of Karanga hegemony”, favoring his own Karanga ethnic group over others. Notable appointments include his son, David Kudakwashe Mnangagwa, as Deputy Minister of Finance, and his grandson, Tongai Mnangagwa, as Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality.

These and other appointments have led to claims that Mnangagwa is creating a governing structure dominated by his allies and clansmen, often under the guise of the “our time to eat” mantra in Zanu PF factional circles.
Rising tensions within Zanu PF

Mnangagwa’s alleged ethnocentric governing style has heightened tensions within Zanu PF, particularly with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, a Zezuru. The internal power struggle between the two leaders has further exposed the party’s entrenched ethnic politics, which have long reflected Zimbabwe’s wider governance problems.

Critics say Mnangagwa’s approach has not only entrenched nepotism and nepotism, but also fueled public discontent and unrest. “Instead of dismantling Mugabe’s ethnocentric project, Mnangagwa is building his own project, exacerbating the nation’s divisions,” said a political analyst who preferred to remain anonymous.
Broader implications

Continued reliance on ethnic favoritism in appointments risks undermining Zimbabwe’s national unity and development. Observers warn that this trend could deepen political polarization and erode public trust in state institutions.

As protests and criticism grow louder, Mnangagwa is facing mounting pressure to address allegations of clansmen’s politics and adhere to the constitutional mandate for inclusive governance. Whether he will pivot to a more diverse and representative approach remains uncertain, but the controversy surrounding Stephen Mutamba’s appointment is emblematic of the wider challenges facing Zimbabwe under Mnangagwa.