No idea what job entails, Minister Mahofa

Mohofa admitted she did not know what was expected of her but promised a crackdown on corrupt senior civil servants in the province.

The supporters were joined by senior Zanu PF officials, among them politburo member Josiah Hungwe and a number of the party’s legislators from Masvingo.

Addressing the gathering Mahofa invited questions about her suitability for the job after admitting she had no idea what the job entailed and asked Hungwe for help.

Hungwe also revealed he did not know what he was supposed to do when appointed psychomotor minister after the December 13 elections.

“I was shocked to learn that I have been appointed the provincial minister, and I know nothing of what is expected from me that’s why I could require guidance from Cde Hungwe who has been there to show me the direction,” said Mahofa.

She however, claimed that her predecessor, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, had engaged in corrupt activities with senior civil servants in the province.

Bhasikiti was, this week, sacked by President Robert Mugabe.

“Corruption has destroyed the province and the country at large; I will not tolerate such illness to continue prevailing amongst our civil servants especially in the lands ministry.

“This is a warning to all those involved in illegal activities to stop it forthwith because I will reign on them,” she said

Charles Muchena, the local war veterans chairman, said the former freedom fighters hoped the new minister would fast-track the process of distributing sugar cane plantations to the association’s members.

“Bhasikiti always blocked our moves of taking farms in the lowveld and I believe the new minister will ensure that the redistribution of land to landless Zimbabweans in Chiredzi comes to its logical conclusion,” he said.

Hungwe was also full of praise for the new minister, describing her as “a pragmatic leader and a very free person who listens to the people.”

“We are very happy with what President Mugabe has done by appointing Cde Mahofa to be Minister of State for Masvingo and we are quite optimistic that she will be able to deliver considering her close connection with the people on the ground,” he said.

Towards Zanu PF’s congress in December, Mahofa collapsed after spending two hours singing and dancing while waiting for First Lady Grace Mugabe to show up at the party’s congress venue in Harare.