Tinotenda Hove -Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana confirmed on Friday that President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in his dual role as Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and Chancellor of the Zimbabwe National Defence University (ZNDU), presided over the institution’s 6th graduation ceremony at Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena Barracks in Harare.

“Today, the Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and Chancellor of the Zimbabwe National Defence University (ZNDU) His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa is presiding over the 6th ZNDU graduation ceremony at Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena Barracks in Harare,” Mangwana said.

Critics have accused Mnangagwa of using such high-profile military events to project power and maintain political dominance rather than focusing on the nation’s pressing economic and social challenges. Observers note that the president’s frequent appearances at military functions blur the lines between state institutions and partisan politics, further entrenching his control over the country’s security apparatus.

While the event was officially billed as an academic celebration for graduates, some political analysts argue that the heavy military backdrop sends a different message. “These ceremonies are less about education and more about political optics,” one commentator remarked. “They’re designed to remind everyone who holds the ultimate authority in Zimbabwe.”