HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday named Martin Rushwaya as the new Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet to replace the retiring Misheck Sibanda.
Rushwaya, who turns 62 on December 31, was Sibanda’s deputy and previously served as secretary for defence.
The appointment is set to be followed by further announcements of key changes in the bureaucracy with Prince Machaya also set to retire as attorney general, as well as filling the vacant position of prosecutor general.
ZimLive understands that Mnangagwa is leaning on appointing current justice secretary Virginia Mabiza to deputise Rushwaya, although she favours the prosecutor general or attorney general roles.
Sibanda was forced to retire under new rules requiring civil servants appointed on pensionable terms after May 1, 1992, to retire at 60. The Public Service Commission however said those employed before 1992, which includes Sibanda and Rushwaya, could only go up to 65.
Rushwaya’s appointment will rile Mnangagwa’s rivals who accuse the 81-year-old leader of stuffing his cabinet and the bureaucracy with relatives. Rushwaya, like Sibanda, is related to Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa’s cabinet announced earlier this month includes his son and nephew.
