Latest ministers reshuffle, sacking looms

via Latest ministers reshuffle, sacking looms – The Zimbabwe Independent April 24, 2015 by Herbert Moyo

Reportedly unimpressed by the mediocre performance of some of his ministers, President Robert Mugabe is set to soon reshuffle his cabinet, in a move which could see ministers such as Patrick Chinamasa, Jonathan Moyo, Walter Mzembi and Samuel Undenge, among others, reassigned or fired.

According to informed sources, Chinamasa (Finance), Moyo (Information), Mzembi (Tourism) and Undenge (Energy) are among those most likely to be re-deployed if Mugabe decides to reshuffle his cabinet.

“A proper reshuffle is looming because the last changes were about filling in vacancies and this will be a proper reorganisation of the team,” one minister said this week. “Some ministers will be reassigned, others just kicked out.”

Since last year’s controversial Zanu PF congress, Mugabe has fired a number of ministers linked to former vice-president Joice Mujuru who was recently expelled from the party for allegedly plotting to oust him and filled in their vacancies with vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies.

Sources say the continued talk of a cabinet reshuffle has unsettled several ministers linked to Mujuru, among them, Education minister Lazarus Dokora and Sports minister Andrew Langa, now operating like sitting ducks because of their political vulnerability.

Sources also said Mzembi, once touted by Mugabe as his top minister, may face the axe over his links to the Mujuru camp with Mnangagwa’s wife, Auxillia, set to replace him. A plot to investigate Mzembi for alleged corruption on UNWTO funds and vehicles is underway to facilitate his dismissal, a source said.

The reshuffle would also result in the filling in of the post Women Affairs minister which was left vacant when Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri was re-deployed to Higher Education following the removal of Olivia Muchena. The Women Affairs ministry was left vacant after the appointment of the elderly Victoria Chitepo was mysteriously reversed.

It is said Mugabe’s wife Grace, also Zanu PF Women’s League leader, could come in as new minister to replace Muchinguri-Kashiri. If Moyo is re-assigned to Higher Education, it means Muchinguri-Kashiri would have to move again.

Mugabe last rearranged his cabinet in December after firing Mujuru and several ministers linked to her, among them Didymus Mutasa, Nicholas Goche, Francis Nhema, Muchena, Webster Shamu and Dzikamai Mavhaire.

Sources said the coming cabinet changes would merely reflect Mnangagwa’s new growing influence on Mugabe and what has been happening in Zanu PF where all those linked to Mujuru are being ruthlessly purged for political reasons.