PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has thrust his nephew Innocent Matibiri as the favourite to become the next Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner as the ageing leader seeks to consolidate his tight grip on power.

The Zimbabwe Gazette reveals that Mugabe positioned his relative as the next police chief by roping changes to the police force’s top brass as Augustine Chihuri is making his way out.

Matibiri has been assigned to the very powerful post of deputy commissioner in charge of operations.

He takes over from the respected Godwin Matanga who was demoted to the less powerful post of the administration.

Before his recent elevation, Matibiri was the deputy commissioner in charge of crime.

Deputy Commissioner Levy Sibanda, who was in charge of administration, is now responsible for the crime division.

Deputy commissioner Barbara Mandizha, who is responsible for human resources, retained her post.

Chihuri made the appointments recently but sources at the Police General Headquarters told The Zimbabwe Gazette that Mugabe had made the reshuffle.

"Mugabe made the reshuffle long before he went for his holiday in the Far East.”

"Chihuri is just a conveyor of the message and he knows that Matibiri is going to take over from him soon.”

"Matibiri was catapulted to the position of deputy commissioner from a junior rank, which raised the ire of some senior police officers but they all know he is untouchable," the source said.

Matibiri became the Deputy Commissioner two years ago when he was promoted from the Police Protection Unit in charge of Mugabe's security and other public institutions.

With less than 12 years experience in the force, Matibiri was not eligible for elevation to the incumbent position and if proper procedures had been followed, he should now be chief superintendent, the sources said.

Matanga, a respected war veteran had hoped to take over from Chihuri but his chances have been eclipsed.

"Matanga was demoted because Mugabe was not happy with the way he handled the case of the traditional healer from Chinhoyi who duped the presidium into believing she had discovered diesel oozing from some rocks.”

"The president was embarrassed because Matanga failed to arrest Mavhunga on time.”

Matanga also has the respect of members from the MDC.

"So it is part of Matibiri’s job now to thwart any MDC rallies and arrest civic and opposition leaders as we gear towards elections in March."

Matanga along Minister of State Security Didymus Mutasa led teams of senior government officials to Chinhoyi, 115-km North West of Harare, in search of the diesel that the healer, Rotina Mavhunga had promised them.

Chihuri eventually laid a trap when Mavhunga was arrested.

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