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Herbert Zharare Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe yesterday appointed Cdes Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko as Vice-Presidents of the Republic of Zimbabwe and also reshuffled his Cabinet to replace former VP Joice Mujuru, seven ministers and a deputy who were fired for expending their time on graft, factional politics within Zanu-PF, and undermining, seeking to depose and assassinate the President.

The two Vice-Presidents and the newly appointed nine government ministers will be sworn in today at a ceremony to be held at State House at 10am.

The VPs’ appointment comes after Cdes Mnangagwa and Mphoko were also appointed Zanu-PF Vice-Presidents and Second Secretaries during the just- ended revolutionary party’s 6th National People’s Congress in Harare.

The President said over and above other responsibilities, VP Mnangagwa would continue with his portfolio as Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, while VP Mphoko would be responsible for the promotion of National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation. This was a portfolio that was also held by the late Vice-President, and national hero, Cde Landa John Nkomo.

In a statement late last night, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda said: “Following the relieving of former Vice-President, Honourable Joice T R Mujuru, seven Ministers and one Deputy Minister of their posts, His Excellency the President, Cde R G Mugabe, in terms of paragraph 14 (2) of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) of 2013, has appointed Honourable Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and Honourable Ambassador Phelekezela Mphoko as Vice Presidents.”

Paragraph 14 (2) of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) of 2013, that deals with Special provision for election and tenure of first President and appointment of Vice-Presidents, stipulates that, “without delay the person elected as President in any election referred to in subparagraph (1) must appoint not more than two Vice-Presidents, who hold office at his or her pleasure.’’

In terms of Section 104 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, Amendment Number 20 of 2013, that deals with the appointment of ministers and deputy ministers, Sibanda said President Mugabe also appointed the eight Ministers and two Deputies.

The newly appointed Zanu-PF national spokesperson and former Senior Minister of State in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo, was appointed to the new portfolio of Minister of Economic Planning.

The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is now under Cde Prisca Mupfumira, who replaced Cde Nicholas Goche who was sacked for his involvement in the plot to assassinate the President and replace him with ousted VP Mujuru.

Cde Oppah Muchinguri; who was Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development; has been assigned to the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, taking over from Dr Olivia Muchena who was fired for performance below the expected standard. She was also part of the Mujuru cabal.

An appointment for the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development will be made later.

The former Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Cde Samuel Undenge was appointed Minister of Energy and Power Development, replacing Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire, who is also linked to the sacked VP Mujuru’s cabal. Cde Undenge will be deputised by Cde Tsitsi Muzenda.

Manicaland Minister of State, Cde Christopher Mushohwe, was moved to the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, replacing Cde Francis Nhema, who is also linked to the former VP Mujuru’s faction.

Cde Mandi Chimene, the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association spokesperson takes over from Cde Mushohwe as the Minister of State for Manicaland Province, while former Deputy Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Cde Joel Biggie Matiza is the new Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province, replacing the ousted Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa.

The former Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Cde Supa Mandiwanzira, was promoted to head the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and Courier Services that was under the fired Cde Webster Shamu.

Cde Monica Mutsvangwa replaces Cde Mandiwanzira as Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa, was promoted to lead the newly created Ministry of Welfare Services for the War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees.

Said Sibanda; “Please note that the newly appointed Vice Presidents, together with the following Ministers and Deputy Ministers are invited to the State House for the swearing in ceremony on Friday (today), December 12, 2014 at 1000 hours.”

They are; Cdes Mupfumira, Undenge, Mushohwe, Mandiwanzira, Chimene, Matiza, Muzenda, and Christopher and Monica Mutsvangwa.

President fired the following ministers and a deputy for their conduct and performance which failed to meet expected standards – VP Mujuru, Minister of Presidential Affairs Cdes Didymus Mutasa, Shamu, Nhema, Muchena, Mavhaire, Goche, Mudarikwa and Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development Munacho Mutezo.

 

List of VPs and Ministers

Name and Portfolio

Cde E Mnangagwa Vice President

Cde P Mphoko Vice President

Cde P Mupfumira Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare

Cde O Muchinguri Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development

Cde S Undenge Minister of Energy and Power Development

Cde C Mushohwe Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment

Cde S Mandiwanzira Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Courier Services

Cde C Mutsvangwa Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees

Cde C Chimene Minister of State for Manicaland Province

Cde B Matiza Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province

Cde Tsitsi Muzenda Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development

Cde M Mutsvangwa Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services