Source: Moyo grovels at Chiwenga – NewsDay Zimbabwe
LOCAL Government minister July Moyo heaped praise on Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, describing him as the most suitable person to run the Health ministry despite fears that he was militarising the sector.
BY PRAISEMORE SITHOLE
Mnangagwa appointed Chiwenga as Health minister on August 5 following the dismissal of Obadiah Moyo after he was implicated in a US$60 million COVID-19 tender scam involving Drax International and members of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s family.
Chiwenga last week ordered that junior doctors should join the Zimbabwe Defence Forces upon graduation, although government later distanced itself from the proclamation by the Health Services Board.
The conscription, seen as a way of stopping doctors from striking, came after he also introduced stringent rules that will see the State taking charge in signing off the poorly remunerated doctors who want to leave the country for greener pastures.
But Moyo, during Chiwenga’s visit to Ekusileni Medical Centre where the IAM4Byo Fighting COVID-19 Trust donated hospital beds, mattresses, bed side cabinets, drip stands, foot stools, and cardiac tables and dressing trolleys, among others, heaped praise on the VP.
“Some thought that the VP was thrown at the deep end when he was appointed Health minister, but it was the opposite, the deep end was thrown to him,” Moyo said.
“He is not unfamiliar with health issues because as an army commander, you can’t have a strong defence force that has no strong health facilities.”
He added: “He is a good historian and if Phathisa Nyathi was here, I would have told him that the history he knows does not match that of the VP.”
Chiwenga on Friday hailed health workers for fighting to save lives despite unfavourable conditions in the sector.
“I do appreciate the dedication by our frontline workers who continue to answer the call of saving lives,” he said.
“The presentations that I have been favoured with by stakeholders, bear ample testimony of the many midnight candles burnt to prepare reports to enlighten me on the situation on the
ground.”
The function was graced by several government officials, including Bulawayo Metropolitan Affairs minister Judith Ncube, Higher and Tertiary Education deputy minister Raymore Machingura and his Lands counterpart Vangelis Haritatos.
Chiwenga and his delegation also visited Engutsheni Mental Health Hospital, United Bulawayo Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital to assess the
situation.
COMMENTS
Comrade Professor Jono Moyo PHD – also the other groveller. Seems it runs in the Moyo family. Run back to ZANUPF whenever its dark outside. Doctor Chiwenga is the king of ZW at this time.
Doctor Ace Mukadota PhD I agree with you. I have worked with a couple of Moyos and went to school with a couple and sadly boot-licking seems to be a family trait.
Well here in the UK they describe such people as lickers of that body part at the top end of the leg.
No matter what Minister July Moyo says it can’t be denied that ED making Chiwenga Minister of Health was a huge disaster. Even in non COVID 19 times he would have been a disaster.
But perhaps that’s what ED wanted.