{"id":1265,"date":"2020-08-19T15:28:20","date_gmt":"2020-08-19T15:28:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo.ovatheme.com\/egovt\/?page_id=1265"},"modified":"2026-03-06T05:17:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T05:17:32","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265","title":{"rendered":"Historical Background"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1265\" class=\"elementor elementor-1265\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-66180a5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"66180a5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-20083a6\" data-id=\"20083a6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-950877a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"950877a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fc6ddf8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"fc6ddf8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-custom\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-eb63eeb\" data-id=\"eb63eeb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b130545 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-ova_heading\" data-id=\"b130545\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"ova_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ova-heading\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title second_font\">Historical Background<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a96d007 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a96d007\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The culture of defending Zimbabwe dates back to the pre-Colonial era where king\u2019s soldiers and warriors mobilised to deal with threats to societal existence. This culture has its genesis from the Changamire wars of resistance to initial European encroachment, the Anglo-Ndebele War of Dispossession (1893) and the First Chimurenga (1896-97). Despite the initial setbacks, this culture was re-ignited in the 1960\u2019s during the war of liberation that gave birth to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe African People\u2019s Union and Zimbabwe African National Union\u2019s military wings exploits (the Zimbabwe People\u2019s Revolutionary Army ZIPRA and the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army ZANLA) proved heroic. These could not be ignored when negotiations for independence at the Lancaster House were crafted. The ZNA drew its membership from 3 former belligerent Armies, namely; the Rhodesian Army, the ZANLA and ZIPRA.<\/p><p>Lieutenant General George Peter Walls was assigned to supervise the forces\u2019 integration process. Later the Joint High Command (JHC), was established in March 1980 to spearhead the integration of forces into the ZNA. These were, the Rhodesian Army Commander Lieutenant General LC Maclean, ZANLA and ZIPRA represented by their respective Commanders, Generals TRS Mujuru and L Masuku respectively.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7667048 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"7667048\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-02ced58\" data-id=\"02ced58\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-283a547 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"283a547\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a232733 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"a232733\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-custom\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-65524b7\" data-id=\"65524b7\" 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data-lazyload=\"\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/LtGeneralPWalls-1024x576.jpeg\" data-no-retina>\n<!---->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/rs-slide>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/rs-slides>\n\t\t\t\t<\/rs-module>\n\t\t\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\t\tsetREVStartSize({c: 'rev_slider_2_1',rl:[1240,1240,778,480],el:[810,810,960,720],gw:[1240,1240,778,480],gh:[810,810,960,720],type:'standard',justify:'',layout:'fullwidth',mh:\"0\"});if (window.RS_MODULES!==undefined && window.RS_MODULES.modules!==undefined && window.RS_MODULES.modules[\"revslider21\"]!==undefined) {window.RS_MODULES.modules[\"revslider21\"].once = false;window.revapi2 = undefined;if (window.RS_MODULES.checkMinimal!==undefined) window.RS_MODULES.checkMinimal()}\n\t\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\t<\/rs-module-wrap>\n\t\t\t<!-- END REVOLUTION SLIDER -->\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5da5d48 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"5da5d48\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4a30d53\" data-id=\"4a30d53\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d7d03c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0d7d03c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Commanders to date<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e016397 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e016397\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Lieutenant General TRS Mujuru became the first Commander of the ZNA and served in that capacity until 1992 when he retired. Lieutenant General VMG Zvinavashe took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA up to 1994 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General CGDN Chiwenga took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA from 1994 to 2004 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General PV Sibanda took over command of the ZNA in from 2004 and served in that capacity until 2018 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General EAC Chimonyo took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA from March 2018 until his untimely death on 08 July 2021. Lieutenant General D Sigauke took over Command on 30 July 2021 and served in that capacity until October 2023. In October 2023, Lieutenant General Sanyatwe took over Command of the army and served as the Commander until March 2025. In March 2025, Lieutenant General E Matatu took over Command up to 22 November 2025 and handed over to the current Commander Lieutenant General Tapfumaneyi.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6797187 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"6797187\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3dea528\" data-id=\"3dea528\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-940333b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"940333b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-450fc54 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"450fc54\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a07e7dd\" data-id=\"a07e7dd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0b7066 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-gallery\" data-id=\"d0b7066\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-gallery\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 25%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-1265 gallery-columns-4 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"d0b7066\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"01 Lieutenant General Solomon Mujuru.\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"Lieutenant General Solomon Mujuru.\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6OTEzMCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3d3dy56bmEuZ292Lnp3XC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIwXC8wN1wvMDEtTGlldXRlbmFudC1HZW5lcmFsLVNvbG9tb24tTXVqdXJ1LmpwZyIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6ImQwYjcwNjYifQ%3D%3D\" href='https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/01-Lieutenant-General-Solomon-Mujuru.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/01-Lieutenant-General-Solomon-Mujuru-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Lieutenant General RS Mujuru 1982 -1992.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-9130\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-9130'>\n\t\t\t\tLieutenant General RS Mujuru:\n\n1982 -1992.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"d0b7066\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"02 Lieutenant General Vitalis Zvinavashe\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"Lieutenant General Vitalis Zvinavashe\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6OTEyOSwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3d3dy56bmEuZ292Lnp3XC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIwXC8wN1wvMDItTGlldXRlbmFudC1HZW5lcmFsLVZpdGFsaXMtWnZpbmF2YXNoZS5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiJkMGI3MDY2In0%3D\" href='https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/02-Lieutenant-General-Vitalis-Zvinavashe.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/02-Lieutenant-General-Vitalis-Zvinavashe-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Lieutenant General VMG Zvinavashe 1992-1994.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-9129\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-9129'>\n\t\t\t\tLieutenant General VMG Zvinavashe: 1992-1994.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"d0b7066\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Lieutenant General CGDN Chiwenga\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"Lieutenant General CGDN Chiwenga \" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6OTU2MiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3d3dy56bmEuZ292Lnp3XC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIwXC8wN1wvY2hpd2VuZ2EucG5nIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiZDBiNzA2NiJ9\" href='https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/chiwenga.png'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/chiwenga-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Lieutenant General CGDN Chiwenga 1994-2004.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-9562\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-9562'>\n\t\t\t\tLieutenant General CGDN Chiwenga :1994-2004\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"d0b7066\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"04 Lieutenant General Phillip Valerio Sibanda\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"Lieutenant General Phillip Valerio Sibanda \" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6OTEyNywidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3d3dy56bmEuZ292Lnp3XC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIwXC8wN1wvMDQtTGlldXRlbmFudC1HZW5lcmFsLVBoaWxsaXAtVmFsZXJpby1TaWJhbmRhLUNvbW1hbmRlci1aaW1iYW1id2UtTmF0aW9uYWwtQXJteS1zY2FsZWQuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiZDBiNzA2NiJ9\" href='https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/04-Lieutenant-General-Phillip-Valerio-Sibanda-Commander-Zimbambwe-National-Army-scaled.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/04-Lieutenant-General-Phillip-Valerio-Sibanda-Commander-Zimbambwe-National-Army-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Lieutenant General PV Sibanda : 2004-2018.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-9127\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-9127'>\n\t\t\t\tLieutenant General PV Sibanda 2004-2018.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"d0b7066\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"05 Lieutenant General EAC Chimonyo\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"Lieutenant General EAC Chimonyo \" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6OTEyNiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3d3dy56bmEuZ292Lnp3XC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIwXC8wN1wvMDUtTGlldXRlbmFudC1HZW5lcmFsLUVkemFpLUFic2Fsb20tQ2hhbnl1a2EtQ2hpbW9ueW8tc2NhbGVkLmpwZyIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6ImQwYjcwNjYifQ%3D%3D\" href='https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/05-Lieutenant-General-Edzai-Absalom-Chanyuka-Chimonyo-scaled.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/05-Lieutenant-General-Edzai-Absalom-Chanyuka-Chimonyo-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Lieutenant General EAC Chimonyo : 2018-2021.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-9126\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-9126'>\n\t\t\t\tLieutenant General EAC Chimonyo:\n2018-2021.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"d0b7066\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"06 Lieutenant General David Sigauke\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"Lieutenant General David Sigauke\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6OTEyNSwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3d3dy56bmEuZ292Lnp3XC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIwXC8wN1wvMDYtTElFVVRFTkFOVC1HRU5FUkFMLURBVklELVNJR0FVS0Utc2NhbGVkLmpwZyIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6ImQwYjcwNjYifQ%3D%3D\" href='https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/06-LIEUTENANT-GENERAL-DAVID-SIGAUKE-scaled.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/06-LIEUTENANT-GENERAL-DAVID-SIGAUKE-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Lieutenant General David Sigauke 2021-2023.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-9125\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-9125'>\n\t\t\t\t Lieutenant General D Sigauke: \n\n2021-2023.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"d0b7066\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"07 Lieutenant General AN Sanyatwe\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"Lieutenant Geneneral AN Sanyatwe \" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6OTEyNCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3d3dy56bmEuZ292Lnp3XC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIwXC8wN1wvMDctTGlldXRlbmFudC1HZW5lbmVyYWwtQU4tU2FueWF0d2UtR0NaTS1Db21tYW5kZXItWmltYmFid2UtTmF0aW9uYWwtQXJteS1zY2FsZWQuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiZDBiNzA2NiJ9\" href='https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/07-Lieutenant-Geneneral-AN-Sanyatwe-GCZM-Commander-Zimbabwe-National-Army-scaled.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/07-Lieutenant-Geneneral-AN-Sanyatwe-GCZM-Commander-Zimbabwe-National-Army-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Lieutenant General AN Sanyatwe 2023-2025.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-9124\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-9124'>\n\t\t\t\tLieutenant General AN Sanyatwe : \n2023-2025.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"d0b7066\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"08 Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6OTEyMywidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3d3dy56bmEuZ292Lnp3XC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIwXC8wN1wvMDgtY3VycmVudC1MaWV1dGVuYW50LUdlbmVyYWwtRW1tYW51ZWwtTWF0YXR1LUdDWk0tQ29tbWFuZGVyLVppbWJhYndlLU5hdGlvbmFsLUFybXktc2NhbGVkLmpwZyIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6ImQwYjcwNjYifQ%3D%3D\" href='https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/08-current-Lieutenant-General-Emmanuel-Matatu-GCZM-Commander-Zimbabwe-National-Army-scaled.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/08-current-Lieutenant-General-Emmanuel-Matatu-GCZM-Commander-Zimbabwe-National-Army-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu 2025-2025\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-9123\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-9123'>\n\t\t\t\tLieutenant General E Matatu : \n2025\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-35b3ef2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"35b3ef2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7a5e775\" data-id=\"7a5e775\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4792ba elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c4792ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/9Lieutenant-General-Walter-Tapfumaneyi-GCZM-Commander-Zimbabwe-National-Army-.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Lieutenant General Walter Tapfumaneyi &#039;GCZM&#039; Commander Zimbabwe National Army\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTAwNzksInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuem5hLmdvdi56d1wvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDNcLzlMaWV1dGVuYW50LUdlbmVyYWwtV2FsdGVyLVRhcGZ1bWFuZXlpLUdDWk0tQ29tbWFuZGVyLVppbWJhYndlLU5hdGlvbmFsLUFybXktLmpwZyJ9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/9Lieutenant-General-Walter-Tapfumaneyi-GCZM-Commander-Zimbabwe-National-Army--219x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-10079\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/9Lieutenant-General-Walter-Tapfumaneyi-GCZM-Commander-Zimbabwe-National-Army--219x300.jpg 219w, https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/9Lieutenant-General-Walter-Tapfumaneyi-GCZM-Commander-Zimbabwe-National-Army--749x1024.jpg 749w, https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/9Lieutenant-General-Walter-Tapfumaneyi-GCZM-Commander-Zimbabwe-National-Army--768x1050.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/9Lieutenant-General-Walter-Tapfumaneyi-GCZM-Commander-Zimbabwe-National-Army--439x600.jpg 439w, https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/9Lieutenant-General-Walter-Tapfumaneyi-GCZM-Commander-Zimbabwe-National-Army--410x560.jpg 410w, https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/9Lieutenant-General-Walter-Tapfumaneyi-GCZM-Commander-Zimbabwe-National-Army-.jpg 1066w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 219px) 100vw, 219px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Lieutenant General A W Tapfumaneyi : Current<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8f90058 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"8f90058\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2cbe92c\" data-id=\"2cbe92c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Historical Background The culture of defending Zimbabwe dates back to the pre-Colonial era where king\u2019s soldiers and warriors mobilised to deal with threats to societal existence. This culture has its genesis from the Changamire wars of resistance to initial European encroachment, the Anglo-Ndebele War of Dispossession (1893) and the First Chimurenga (1896-97). Despite the initial setbacks, this culture was re-ignited in the 1960\u2019s during the war of liberation that gave birth to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe African People\u2019s Union and Zimbabwe African National Union\u2019s military wings exploits (the Zimbabwe People\u2019s Revolutionary Army ZIPRA and the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army ZANLA) proved heroic. These could not be ignored when negotiations for independence at the Lancaster House were crafted. The ZNA drew its membership from 3 former belligerent Armies, namely; the Rhodesian Army, the ZANLA and ZIPRA. Lieutenant General George Peter Walls was assigned to supervise the forces\u2019 integration process. Later the Joint High Command (JHC), was established in March 1980 to spearhead the integration of forces into the ZNA. These were, the Rhodesian Army Commander Lieutenant General LC Maclean, ZANLA and ZIPRA represented by their respective Commanders, Generals TRS Mujuru and L Masuku respectively. Commanders to date Lieutenant General TRS Mujuru became the first Commander of the ZNA and served in that capacity until 1992 when he retired. Lieutenant General VMG Zvinavashe took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA up to 1994 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General CGDN Chiwenga took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA from 1994 to 2004 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General PV Sibanda took over command of the ZNA in from 2004 and served in that capacity until 2018 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General EAC Chimonyo took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA from March 2018 until his untimely death on 08 July 2021. Lieutenant General D Sigauke took over Command on 30 July 2021 and served in that capacity until October 2023. In October 2023, Lieutenant General Sanyatwe took over Command of the army and served as the Commander until March 2025. In March 2025, Lieutenant General E Matatu took over Command up to 22 November 2025 and handed over to the current Commander Lieutenant General Tapfumaneyi. Lieutenant General RS Mujuru: 1982 -1992. Lieutenant General VMG Zvinavashe: 1992-1994. Lieutenant General CGDN Chiwenga :1994-2004 Lieutenant General PV Sibanda 2004-2018. Lieutenant General EAC Chimonyo: 2018-2021. Lieutenant General D Sigauke: 2021-2023. Lieutenant General AN Sanyatwe : 2023-2025. Lieutenant General E Matatu : 2025 Lieutenant General A W Tapfumaneyi : Current<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1265","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Historical Background - Zimbabwe National Army<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Historical Background - Zimbabwe National Army\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Historical Background The culture of defending Zimbabwe dates back to the pre-Colonial era where king\u2019s soldiers and warriors mobilised to deal with threats to societal existence. This culture has its genesis from the Changamire wars of resistance to initial European encroachment, the Anglo-Ndebele War of Dispossession (1893) and the First Chimurenga (1896-97). Despite the initial setbacks, this culture was re-ignited in the 1960\u2019s during the war of liberation that gave birth to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe African People\u2019s Union and Zimbabwe African National Union\u2019s military wings exploits (the Zimbabwe People\u2019s Revolutionary Army ZIPRA and the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army ZANLA) proved heroic. These could not be ignored when negotiations for independence at the Lancaster House were crafted. The ZNA drew its membership from 3 former belligerent Armies, namely; the Rhodesian Army, the ZANLA and ZIPRA. Lieutenant General George Peter Walls was assigned to supervise the forces\u2019 integration process. Later the Joint High Command (JHC), was established in March 1980 to spearhead the integration of forces into the ZNA. These were, the Rhodesian Army Commander Lieutenant General LC Maclean, ZANLA and ZIPRA represented by their respective Commanders, Generals TRS Mujuru and L Masuku respectively. Commanders to date Lieutenant General TRS Mujuru became the first Commander of the ZNA and served in that capacity until 1992 when he retired. Lieutenant General VMG Zvinavashe took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA up to 1994 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General CGDN Chiwenga took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA from 1994 to 2004 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General PV Sibanda took over command of the ZNA in from 2004 and served in that capacity until 2018 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General EAC Chimonyo took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA from March 2018 until his untimely death on 08 July 2021. Lieutenant General D Sigauke took over Command on 30 July 2021 and served in that capacity until October 2023. In October 2023, Lieutenant General Sanyatwe took over Command of the army and served as the Commander until March 2025. In March 2025, Lieutenant General E Matatu took over Command up to 22 November 2025 and handed over to the current Commander Lieutenant General Tapfumaneyi. Lieutenant General RS Mujuru: 1982 -1992. Lieutenant General VMG Zvinavashe: 1992-1994. Lieutenant General CGDN Chiwenga :1994-2004 Lieutenant General PV Sibanda 2004-2018. Lieutenant General EAC Chimonyo: 2018-2021. Lieutenant General D Sigauke: 2021-2023. Lieutenant General AN Sanyatwe : 2023-2025. Lieutenant General E Matatu : 2025 Lieutenant General A W Tapfumaneyi : Current\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Zimbabwe National Army\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-06T05:17:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/01-Lieutenant-General-Solomon-Mujuru-150x150.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265\",\"name\":\"Historical Background - Zimbabwe National Army\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/01-Lieutenant-General-Solomon-Mujuru-150x150.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-08-19T15:28:20+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-06T05:17:32+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/01-Lieutenant-General-Solomon-Mujuru.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/01-Lieutenant-General-Solomon-Mujuru.jpg\",\"width\":567,\"height\":712,\"caption\":\"Lieutenant General RS Mujuru: 1982 -1992.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Historical Background\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/\",\"name\":\"Zimbabwe National Army\",\"description\":\"ZNA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Historical Background - Zimbabwe National Army","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Historical Background - Zimbabwe National Army","og_description":"Historical Background The culture of defending Zimbabwe dates back to the pre-Colonial era where king\u2019s soldiers and warriors mobilised to deal with threats to societal existence. This culture has its genesis from the Changamire wars of resistance to initial European encroachment, the Anglo-Ndebele War of Dispossession (1893) and the First Chimurenga (1896-97). Despite the initial setbacks, this culture was re-ignited in the 1960\u2019s during the war of liberation that gave birth to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe African People\u2019s Union and Zimbabwe African National Union\u2019s military wings exploits (the Zimbabwe People\u2019s Revolutionary Army ZIPRA and the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army ZANLA) proved heroic. These could not be ignored when negotiations for independence at the Lancaster House were crafted. The ZNA drew its membership from 3 former belligerent Armies, namely; the Rhodesian Army, the ZANLA and ZIPRA. Lieutenant General George Peter Walls was assigned to supervise the forces\u2019 integration process. Later the Joint High Command (JHC), was established in March 1980 to spearhead the integration of forces into the ZNA. These were, the Rhodesian Army Commander Lieutenant General LC Maclean, ZANLA and ZIPRA represented by their respective Commanders, Generals TRS Mujuru and L Masuku respectively. Commanders to date Lieutenant General TRS Mujuru became the first Commander of the ZNA and served in that capacity until 1992 when he retired. Lieutenant General VMG Zvinavashe took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA up to 1994 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General CGDN Chiwenga took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA from 1994 to 2004 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General PV Sibanda took over command of the ZNA in from 2004 and served in that capacity until 2018 when he was appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Lieutenant General EAC Chimonyo took over and served as the Commander of the ZNA from March 2018 until his untimely death on 08 July 2021. Lieutenant General D Sigauke took over Command on 30 July 2021 and served in that capacity until October 2023. In October 2023, Lieutenant General Sanyatwe took over Command of the army and served as the Commander until March 2025. In March 2025, Lieutenant General E Matatu took over Command up to 22 November 2025 and handed over to the current Commander Lieutenant General Tapfumaneyi. Lieutenant General RS Mujuru: 1982 -1992. Lieutenant General VMG Zvinavashe: 1992-1994. Lieutenant General CGDN Chiwenga :1994-2004 Lieutenant General PV Sibanda 2004-2018. Lieutenant General EAC Chimonyo: 2018-2021. Lieutenant General D Sigauke: 2021-2023. Lieutenant General AN Sanyatwe : 2023-2025. Lieutenant General E Matatu : 2025 Lieutenant General A W Tapfumaneyi : Current","og_url":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265","og_site_name":"Zimbabwe National Army","article_modified_time":"2026-03-06T05:17:32+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/01-Lieutenant-General-Solomon-Mujuru-150x150.jpg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265","url":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265","name":"Historical Background - Zimbabwe National Army","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/01-Lieutenant-General-Solomon-Mujuru-150x150.jpg","datePublished":"2020-08-19T15:28:20+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-06T05:17:32+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/01-Lieutenant-General-Solomon-Mujuru.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/01-Lieutenant-General-Solomon-Mujuru.jpg","width":567,"height":712,"caption":"Lieutenant General RS Mujuru: 1982 -1992."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?page_id=1265#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Historical Background"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/","name":"Zimbabwe National Army","description":"ZNA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1265"}],"version-history":[{"count":149,"href":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1265\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10097,"href":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1265\/revisions\/10097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zna.gov.zw\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}