Zimbabwean PM announces cabinet reshuffle
0 
Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday announced a Cabinet reshuffle for ministers from his party, Xinhua has learnt.
Tsvangirai told a press conference that the reshuffle was about strengthening his party's performance in government while at the same time ensuring that the party also remained strong ahead of fresh elections expected to be held next year.
He said despite successes registered in the areas of education, health, service delivery and media, many challenges continued to overshadow these and had led to loss of confidence in the new administration among the electorate.
"In response to this as prime minister and president of the Movement for Democratic Change I have just completed a comprehensive review of the performance of government, in particular my office, and those in Cabinet and those in the party and as a result I have decided on a number of changes needed to strengthen the performance of the MDC in government and outside government in order to deliver real change to the people of Zimbabwe," he said.
Tsvangirai entered into an inclusive government with President Robert Mugabe of Zanu-PF and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara of the smaller MDC faction following the lack of an outright winner in the 2008 legislative elections and a dispute presidential election won by Mugabe.
Each of the three principals in the power-sharing Global Political Agreement (GPA) is entitled to choose ministers for the portfolios allocated as per the agreement and may change these as and when they deem it necessary. Mugabe, as head of state, swears any new ministers into government.
Former energy and power development minister Elias Mudzuri will go back to the party as national organizer, former housing and social amenities minister Fidelis Mhashu, who is a national executive member of the party, will concentrate on rehabilitating the party's Chitungwiza executive which Tsvangirai said had almost collapsed because of lack of attention and former deputy minister of women's affairs gender and community development Evelyn Masaiti will concentrate on her party role as secretary for women's affairs.
Tamsanqa Mahlangu, former deputy minister of youth development, indigenization and economic empowerment will go back to his youth leader's role in the party.
"The people I have re-deployed back to the party have special responsibilities in various departments of the party. We cannot have a situation where we concentrate and put all our eggs in one basket. Fifteen months in government and we have 15 months to go ( before elections), hopefully, so how do you neglect your other ammunition?"
Former deputy minister of media, information and publicity Jameson Timba becomes minister of state in the prime minister's office, Tapiwa Mashakada takes over from Elton Mangoma as economic planning and investment promotion minister and Gift Chimanikire becomes deputy minister of mines and mining development.
Lawyer Obert Gutu takes over from Jessie Majome as deputy minister of justice and legal affairs while Tongai Matutu becomes deputy minister of youth development, indigenization and economic empowerment. Majome has been redeployed in the same capacity to the ministry of women's affairs and community development.
Mangoma is the new minister of energy and power development while Theresa Makone, formerly minister of public works, will become co-minister of home affairs, taking over from Giles Mutsekwa who becomes minister of housing and social amenities.
Former minister of state in the prime minister's office Gorden Moyo becomes minister of state enterprises and parastatals, taking over from Joel Gabbuzza who becomes minister of public works.
Murisi Zwizwai, formerly deputy minister of mines and mining development becomes deputy minister of media, information and publicity.
Tsvangirai denied that the reshuffle was a result of factionalism in the party, emphasizing that the intention was to strengthen the party structures ahead of elections.
Mugabe has refused to swear the party's treasurer Roy Bennett into office as deputy minister of agriculture because of his perceived links with former Rhodesian white farmers. Tsvangirai said Bennett still remained his choice for the portfolio despite Mugabe's refusal to swear him into office and added that the issue, together with another one on the allocation of provincial governors, had been submitted to South African President Jacob Zuma for mediation.
Zuma is facilitating negotiations meant to resolve outstanding issues in the GPA, at the behest of the Southern African Development Community.
On alleged threats by a senior civil servant on a mobile phone service provider over the use of its service by the MDC to launch an audio service, Tsvangirai said people should move along with technological advances.
"If you are still living in the day of typewriters when people are using computers you are really falling behind.. Those who like to behave like a dodo can still behave like a dodo. That is not going to stop us from implementing the new technologies that are available to us. And of course we are not violating the law and I' m sure that those facilities will continue to be made available to the people.
The MDC recently launched an audio service which it says will give its supporters a platform to hear an alternative voice on national and political events.
A spokesman for the party said the audio platform would counter propaganda allegedly conveyed by national broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), which has been accused of supporting President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF at the expense of other political parties in the inclusive government.
Under the new communication platform, Zimbabweans call a set of cellular phone numbers which cut to allow a call-back facility to enable the radio system to call back to listeners who will then receive guidelines that will lead them to various options
Other menu options include the MDC's position on the constitution-making process, party events, and a feed-back platform where Zimbabweans can leave their messages to the party.
Go to Forum >>0 Comments