The existence and mandate of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) is enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The ZDF was set up by the integration of three belligerent forces, the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) and the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) on one side and the Rhodesian Security Forces (RSF) on the other, at the end of the War of Liberation in 1980. The integration period saw the formation of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) as separate entities.
The approval of the Defence Amendment Bill in 1994 saw the setting up of a centralised command for the ZDF. General Vitalis Zvinavashe became the first Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces, with the commanders of both the Army and the Air force falling under his command. Following his retirement in December 2003, General Constantino Guvheya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga, was promoted and appointed Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces. General Philip Valerio Sibanda replaced him as Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces in 2017. General Emmanuel Matatu assumed command of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) on 21 November 2025, succeeding General Philip Valerio Sibanda.
ZDF Headquarters is divided into the following branches; Inspectorate, Joint Operations and Plans, Defence Intelligence, Service Personnel and Logistics and Economic Development. A number of departments fall under these branches and these include Operations, Policy, Public Relations, International Affairs, Protocol, Disaster Management, Administration, Medical Services, Finance, Logistics, Programmes and Reserve Force.
