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Harare Bureau
President Mugabe has appointed 17 ambassadors to represent Zimbabwe in several countries, replacing those that have either been recalled or retired.The announcement of the appointments were made by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda, in a Government Gazette published yesterday and were made in terms of Section 110 (2) (i) and 204 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 20 2013.

Zimbabwe’s ambassador to China, Dr Fredrick Musiiwa Makamure Shava, moves to New York to become Harare’s permanent representative to the United Nations.

He takes over from Chitsaka Chipaziwa.

Some of those appointed were serving ambassadors while others were senior staffers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or foreign missions who were elevated.

Former consular general in the Far East, Paul Chikawa, becomes Zimbabwe’s new ambassador to China, taking over from Shava.
Between 1999 and 2010, he was a diplomat at Zimbabwe Embassy in Beijing, rising from Counsellor, Minister Counsellor and Minister Plenipotentiary. At the advent of the “Look East Policy,” he was exposed to several bilateral business ventures between Beijing and Harare. From 2010 to 2014 he was Zimbabwe’s Consul General covering the Consular Jurisdiction of Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions of China.

Director for multilateral affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taonga Mushayavanhu, has been appointed Zimbabwe’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, replacing James Manzou.

Permanent Secretary responsible for special projects in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former secretary in the Ministry of Regional Integration and International Cooperation during the inclusive government, Tadeous Tafirenyika Chifamba, has been appointed Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Belgium.

He replaces Dr Margaret Muchada.

Chifamba is a career diplomat having served in several countries before.

Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Libya, George Tsaurai Mudzviti Vengesa, has been appointed as the country’s new ambassador to Australia, replacing controversial ambassador Jacqueline Zwambila who was recommended by MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai during the inclusive government.

Director responsible for Europe and the Americas in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ruth Masodzi Chikwira, becomes Zimbabwe’s new ambassador to Germany, taking over from Hebson Makuvise whose term expired early this year.

Makuvise had been recommended by Tsvangirai during the inclusive government.

Anjin deputy general manager Gertrude Ratidzo Takawira, becomes the new ambassador to Zambia while independent consultant Rudo Mabel Chitiga, becomes Zimbabwe’s new ambassador to France, replacing David Hamadziripi.

Chitiga also has more than 30 years experience working in senior management and leadership roles in government, civil society and inter-government organisations.

Director for external relations in the President’s Office, Ammon Machingambi Mutembwa, becomes Zimbabwe’s new ambassador to the United States of America, while Executive Secretary of the African Union Committee of Intelligence and Security Service in Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Isaac Moyo, becomes Zimbabwe’s new ambassador to South Africa.

Mutembwa takes over reigns in Washington from Dr Machivenyika Mapuranga, while Moyo replaces Cde Phelekezela Mphoko, who has since retired.

Zimbabwean Consul General in South Africa, Godfrey Magwenzi, has been elevated to become Harare’s representative to Italy, taking over from Mary Sibusisiwe Mubi.

Director for policy, research and training in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Edwin George Mandaza, becomes Zimbabwe’s new ambassador to Algeria while another Director in the same Ministry Albert Ranganai Chimbindi, was appointed as Harare’s representative to Ethiopia taking over from Dr Andrew Mtetwa.

Deputy permanent representative for Zimbabwe in New York, Rofina Ndakaziva Chikava nee Chikamhi, has been appointed Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Namibia replacing Chipo Zindoga.

Director in the President’s Office responsible for special projects, Ignatius Graham Mudzimba, has been appointed the country’s representative to Cuba, replacing Cde John Mvundura who has retired.

Acting ambassador to Pretoria, Samuel Chihondo Mhango, has been appointed Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Sweden while Zimbabwe’s Director in the embassy in Russia, Christopher Mapanga, has been elevated to become ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt.