STEPHEN MUTAMBA: A POLITICALLY TAILORED APPOINTMENT?

The appointment of Stephen Mutamba as Zimbabwe’s new police commissioner-general is not surprising, but it is deeply troubling. Since 2018, it has been an open secret that President Emmerson Mnangagwa wanted Mutamba to take this role. This decision reeks of political favoritism, highlighting a system where loyalty to the ruling regime is rewarded, no matter the cost to democracy and justice.

Mutamba replaces Tandabantu Godwin Matanga, who has held the position since 19 December 2017. Matanga’s time as commissioner-general began after the ousting of Augustine Chihuri during the November 2017 coup. While Matanga was initially appointed as a temporary measure, he remained in office for years, serving as a placeholder until Mnangagwa could install his preferred ally.

Matanga’s police career spanned decades, having joined the force in 1982 and becoming deputy commissioner-general in 1992. However, his extended tenure as commissioner-general was less about his capabilities and more about maintaining control over the police force. With Matanga stepping aside by the end of 2024, Mutamba’s ascension marks a shift that many fear will solidify Mnangagwa’s grip on the state apparatus.

Mutamba’s career trajectory has been carefully managed to align with Mnangagwa’s political agenda. In 2019, Mutamba was moved from Crime to Operations, signaling his growing influence within the police force. By January 2021, he was shifted again, this time to Administration, further preparing him for the top position. These moves were not coincidental—they were deliberate steps to ensure Mutamba’s loyalty and readiness to serve Mnangagwa’s interests.

However, Mutamba’s record is far from clean. In 2022, he was sanctioned by the United States for actions that undermined Zimbabwe’s democratic processes. The US accused Mutamba of using the police to intimidate opposition leaders and suppress political dissent. He was also implicated in the unfair enforcement of COVID-19 curfews, which were used as a tool to stifle opposition activities while allowing Zanu PF to operate freely.

According to the US, Mutamba played a key role in blocking foreign officials from engaging with opposition leaders and civil society groups. He also pushed for vote tallies to be hidden from the public and opposed international election observers. These actions not only undermined trust in Zimbabwe’s electoral system but also highlighted the deep politicization of the police force under his watch.

Mutamba’s appointment raises serious questions about the future of law enforcement in Zimbabwe. How can a man with such a controversial record be trusted to lead a police force that is supposed to serve all citizens? His history of partisan actions suggests that his tenure will be more about protecting the regime than upholding justice or public safety.

The timing of this appointment is also concerning. Matanga will remain in charge until the end of 2024, creating a prolonged transition period that seems designed to ensure Mnangagwa’s influence is fully entrenched. This move reflects a broader pattern of consolidating power at the expense of transparency and accountability.

For Zimbabweans, Mutamba’s appointment is yet another reminder that the country’s institutions have been captured by a regime that prioritizes loyalty over competence. Instead of appointing a commissioner-general who could restore public trust in the police, Mnangagwa has chosen someone who has consistently acted as a political enforcer.

This development should alarm every citizen who cares about democracy and justice. The police, under Mutamba’s leadership, are unlikely to serve as an impartial force. Instead, they are likely to become an even more powerful tool for suppressing dissent and protecting the interests of those in power.

Zimbabwe deserves better. It deserves leaders who respect the rule of law, not individuals who bend it to serve political masters. Mutamba’s appointment is a step backward, not just for the police force but for the country as a whole. As citizens, we must continue to demand accountability and speak out against the blatant abuse of power that this regime represents.