Mnangagwa Cabinet balloons as he creates new ministry, adds 5 deputy ministers

The new Cabinet now has 25 ministers, 18 deputy ministers and 10 provincial ministers

Big move ... Kazembe Kazembe is the biggest mover in the reshuffle after he was made Home Affairs Minister

HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday expanded his Cabinet in a mini-reshuffle, adding a new ministry of national housing and naming an additional five deputy ministers.

The new Cabinet now has 25 ministers, 18 deputy ministers and 10 provincial ministers.

Kazembe Kazembe is the new Minister of Home Affairs, a promotion from his previous portfolio at Information Communication Technology which is now occupied by his former deputy, Jenfan Muswere.

Cain Mathema leaves Home Affairs to take over as the new minister of Primary and Secondary Education, a portfolio vacated by Professor Paul Mavhima who has been named as the new minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

Mavhima arrives at the ministry as the government battles to contain strikes by public sector workers.

Sekesai Nzenza, who was Public Service minister, has been redeployed to Industry and Commerce previously held by Mangaliso Ndlovu, who is the new minister of Environment, Climate Change and Tourism.

Ndlovu takes over from Prisca Mupfumira, who was sacked in August following her arrest accused of corruption.

Mnangagwa named Daniel Garwe as minister of National Housing, a new Cabinet portfolio. He will be deputised by Yeukai Simbanegavi.

Jennifer Mhlanga has been moved as deputy minister of Local Government to the ministry of Women Affairs and SMEs, with Marian Chombo – the ex-wife of former Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo – replacing her.

David Musabayana was named Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Raymore Machingura as Deputy Minister of Higher Education; Tinoda Machakarika as Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation while Clemence Chiduwa will deputise Mthuli Ncube at the Finance and Economic Development ministry.

The new appointees will be issued with brand new vehicles, two each – a Mercedes and an off-road 4×4. The perks are a massive drain on the broke nation’s fiscus, and Mnangagwa will face new questions over his austerity measures which have hit public sector workers while his Cabinet keeps growing.

Mnangagwa’s Revised Cabinet

Minister of Finance – Prof Mthuli Ncube
Minister of Youth, Sport & Recreation – Kirsty Coventry
Minister of Justice – Ziyambi Ziyambi
Minister of ICT – Jenfan Muswere
Minister of Energy – Fortune Chasi
Minister of Foreign Affairs – Sibusiso Moyo
Minister of Information – Monica Mutsvangwa
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education – Cain Mathema
Minister of Mines – Winston Chitando
Minister of Home Affairs – Kazembe Kazembe
Minister of Defence – Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri
Minister of Health – Obadiah Moyo
Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Tourism – Mangaliso Ndlovu
Minister of Lands and Agriculture – Perrence Shiri
Minister of Transport – Joel Biggie Matiza
Minister of Industry – Sekai Nzenza
Minister of Local Government – July Moyo
Minister of Women Affairs and SMEs – Sithembiso Nyoni
Minister of Public, Labour and Social Welfare – Prof Paul Mavhima
Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education – Prof Amon Murwira
Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities – Daniel Garwe
Minister of State Security – Owen Ncube
Minister of State in the President’s Office in Charge of Implementation – Jorum Gumbo
Minister of State in Vice President Kembo Mohadi’s Office – Davies Marapira
Minister of State in Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s Office – Evelyn Ndhlovu