HARARE – President Mugabe yesterday appointed Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko as Vice Presidents of the Republic of Zimbabwe and reshuffled his Cabinet to replace former Vice President Joice Mujuru, seven ministers and a deputy who were fired.
The two Vice Presidents and the newly-appointed nine Government ministers, and two deputies will be sworn in today at a ceremony to be held at State House at 10am.
Mnangagwa and Mphoko were appointed Zanu-PF second secretaries at an extraordinary session of the Zanu-PF Central Committee on Wednesday.
President Mugabe 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 portfolio was held by the late Vice President and national hero John Landa Nkomo.
In a statement late last night, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr 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 sub paragraph (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, Dr Sibanda said President Mugabe also appointed the following 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 Services is now under Prisca Mupfumira, who replaced Nicholas Goche who was sacked for his involvement in the alleged plot to assassinate the President and replace him with ousted VP Mujuru.
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 also fired.
An appointment for the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development will be made later.
Former Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Samuel Udenge was appointed Minister of Energy and Power Development, replacing Dzikamai Mavhaire.
Udenge will be deputised by Tsitsi Muzenda.
Manicaland Minister of State Christopher Mushohwe was moved to the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, replacing Francis Nhema.
Mandi Chimene — Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association spokesperson — takes over from Mushohwe as the Minister of State for Manicaland Province, while former Deputy Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Joel Biggie Matiza is now the new Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province, replacing the ousted Simbaneuta Mudarikwa.
Former Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Supa Mandiwanzira was promoted to head the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and Courier Services that was under the fired Webster Shamu.
Monica Mutsvangwa, replaces 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 Dr 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), 12th December 2014 at 1000 hours.”
They are; Mupfumira, Udenge, Mushohwe, Mandiwanzira, Chimene, Matiza, Muzenda, and Christopher and Monica Mutsvangwa.
The President fired the following ministers and a deputy who were all perceived to be loyal to the ousted VP Joice Mujuru.
VP Mujuru, Minister of Presidential Affairs Dydimus 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
E Mnangagwa: Vice President
P Mphoko: Vice President
P Mupfumira: Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services
O Muchinguri: Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development
S Udenge: Minister of Energy and Power Development
C Mushohwe: Minister of Youth Development, Indegenisation and Economic Empowerment
S Mandiwanzira: Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Courier Services
C Mutsvangwa: Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees
C Chimene: Minister of State for Manicaland Province
B Matiza: Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province
Tsitsi Muzenda: Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development
M Mutsvangwa: Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services