Tapera takes over from Sello Chokoe, who led Leopards towards the end of last term following the resignation of Kosta Papic. Papic had replaced Major David Bright at the National First Division outfit.
There is talk that Chokoe could stay on as an assistant coach, with Joel Masutha and Mongezi Bobe having already been sacked.
Tapera was most recently working as the Zimbabwe Under-20 head coach, leading the team to the second round of qualifiers for the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
Though he joins Leopards ahead of the start of next season it is unclear if he will continue to work with the Young Warriors.
The Young Warriors are due to travel to Cameroon next week for the return leg of their qualifying tie which stands at 0-0 following the first leg played on May 22 in Harare.