Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Lieutenant General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi, has signaled an upcoming salary adjustment for soldiers

• By Staff Reporter
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• February 23, 2026

The Outlook is Good": ZNA Commander Announces Salary Hike for Soldiers

​HARARE – In a move set to boost morale within the ranks of the military, the Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Lieutenant General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi, has signaled an upcoming salary adjustment for soldiers, citing a direct directive from the Commander-in-Chief.

​Addressing personnel recently, Lt. Gen. Tapfumaneyi confirmed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa has committed to reviewing military remuneration, with changes expected to take effect as early as mid-March 2026.

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​Using a metaphorical "weather report" to describe the financial future of the troops, the ZNA Commander delivered the news with confidence.

​"Hurumende irikuda kukwidza pay yemasoja. Tanga tina Commander-in-Chief President Emmerson Mnangagwa vakati pakati paMarch apa, saka ndiri kukupai weather report, the outlook is good," (The government wants to increase the pay for soldiers. We were with the Commander-in-Chief President Emmerson Mnangagwa and he said this will happen by mid-March, so I am giving you a weather report: the outlook is good.)

​Context of the Review

​The announcement comes at a critical time for Zimbabwe’s economy and its security sector:

• ​Recent Leadership Transition: Lt. Gen. Tapfumaneyi assumed command of the ZNA in November 2025, following a major shake-up of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) leadership.

• ​Wider Civil Service Adjustments: Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube previously hinted during the 2026 National Budget debates that salary adjustments for the broader civil service were scheduled for the first quarter of the year, based on a comprehensive job evaluation exercise.
• ​Morale and Stability: Analysts view the selective focus on military pay as a strategic move to ensure the loyalty and stability of the security forces amidst ongoing economic pressures and legislative debates surrounding constitutional amendments.

​What Happens Next?

​While the specific percentages of the hike have not been made public, the mention of "mid-March" suggests that the government has already cleared the necessary budgetary hurdles through the Treasury.

​The military has traditionally been the first to receive cost-of-living adjustments, often followed by the police and the health and education sectors. Whether this "good weather" will extend to the rest of the civil service remains the primary question for Zimbabwe's public sector workers.

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