Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa decided on a major cabinet reshuffle yesterday, smiling on two deputy ministers who were promoted to full ministers and changing the portfolios of five others.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mike Mulongoti saw his star rise to succeed Vernon Mwaanga as Minister of Information and Broadcasting, state-owned Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) quoted the president's press secretary John Musukuma as saying.

Mwaanga recently drew the ire of the government for rogue comments made during his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Mwaanga, a former government spokesperson, told media during his trip that the Zambian government had outstanding debts of US$7 million owed to Moses Katumbi, the governor of the DRC's Katanga Province, a claim rejected by the Zambian government.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Sports, Youth and Child Development Patricia Mulasikwanda saw herself named the new Minister of Gender and Women in Development with her predecessors Sarah Sayifwanda taking over at the Ministry of Communications and Transport.

The firing of Angela Cifire, the former Minister of Health, has triggered another shift with Brian Chituwo moving to take up this new post, leaving Peter Daka to take over from him as Minister of Minister of Science, Technology and Vocational Training.

Two ministers also performed a job switch, with Kenneth Konga moving from the Commerce, Trade and Industry Ministry to become Minister for Energy and Water Development Minister with Felix Mutati moving in the opposite direction.

Mwanawasa stressed the newly-appointed members of the tremendous responsibility they now bear.

New Communications and Transport Minister Sayifwanda, who took over from Peter Daka, is under strict orders to speed up the creation of the national airline and to buck up the flagging national railway system.

The president further directed Health Minister Chituwo to analyze challenges facing embattled hospitals and clinics and come up with a solution package.

On Mutati's new appointment as Commerce, Trade and Industries Minister, Mwanawasa brought the issues of internal trade and public empowerment to his immediate attention.

"This is not to say that issues of foreign trade are not important but domestic affairs must take precedence if we are to make meaningful process and create new jobs and wealth," the president said in the statement.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2007)