December 10 - 17, 2014

New Cabinet and new Vice Presidents after elimination of Mujuru faction

Independent Media

Daily News, December 11, 2014

“Mnangagwa finally arrives”, by Lloyd Mbiba and Fungi Kwaramba

• Emmerson Mnangagwa has finally been appointed Vice President after years of power struggle. This places him in a good position to succeed Mugabe.
  
• Phelekezela Mphoko has been appointed to the Zanu PF’s second deputy position.
  
• Simon Khaya Moyo, who was linked to the Mujuru faction, escaped the purges and has been given a low-profile position in the government. He was party chairman, however the position has been abolished.
  
• Mugabe warned the two new Vice Presidents not to abuse their positions to plot his demise; an ominous reference to the recent allegations attributed to Joice Mujuru’s faction. Mnangagwa subsequently pledged his allegiance to Mugabe.
  
• Several international observer and human rights groups have expressed a certain degree of pessimism regarding the effect that the new appointments will have regarding government cohesion and national economic recovery.

State-owned Media

The Herald, December 12, 2014

“President unveils new ministers”, by Herbert Zharare

• Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko were appointed vice presidents of Zimbabwe in a cabinet reshuffle.
• Both ministers will continue to work on their previous portfolios. Mnangagwa will be responsible for the duties of Justice Minister, while Mphoko will continue with the portfolio of national healing, peace and reconciliation.
  
• Following the purge of former Vice President Mujuru’s faction, several new ministers were called up to replace the group accused of conspiring to overthrow Mugabe. The new ministers are:
  
  • P. Mupfumira: Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services;
    
  • O. Muchinguri: Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development;
    
  • S. Udenge: Minister of Energy and Power Development;
    
  • C. Mushowe: Minister of Youth Development, Indegenisation and Economic Empowerment;
    
  • S. Mandiwanzira: Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Courier Services;
    
  • C. Mutsvangwa: Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees;
    
  • C. Chimene: Minister of State for Manicaland Province;
    
  • B. Matiza: Minister of State for Mashonaland Province;
    
  • T. Muenda: Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development;
    
  • M. Mutsvangwa: Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services.

Accusations of violation of the Constitution by Mugabe

Independent Media

Daily News, December 11, 2014 “MDC wants to impeach Mugabe”, by Fungi Kwaramba • The MDC said it is moving to impeach President Robert Mugabe for the unconstitutional firing of Joice Mujuru. They accuse Mugabe of citing a non-existent statute when he dismissed Mujuru which showed disregard for the Zimbabwean Constitution. • The MDC believes it can achieve an impeachment even though they only hold a minority of seats in parliament. They believe they can achieve this through taking advantage of dissatisfaction within the Zanu PF. Analysts however believe that such a possibility is unlikely. • Joice Mujuru has publicly stated that she will not leave the Zanu PF, showing an undying loyalty to the party that led to her downfall. Southern Eye, December 12, 2014 “VP appointments illegal”, by Nqobani Ndlovu and Nquobile Bhebhe • The National Constitutionsal Assembly (NCA) approached the Constitutional Court seeking to block Mugabe’s appointment of vice presidents. • The NCA argues that the appointments of Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko were against the law. • The NCA maintains that Mugabe’s chance to appoint a new VP only comes immediately after he is elected. He does not have the right to fire a VP and replace her with two VPs. State-owned Media The Herald, December 12, 2014 “Lawyers dismiss opposition’s defence of Mujuru” • Two political parties, the MDC-T and the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) have rallied behind Joice Mujuru after her firing. • NCA leader Lovemore Madhuku said he would challenge the appointments of Emmerson Mnangwa and Phelekezela Mphoko to the Vice Presidency on the grounds that the Constitution states that the president can only appoint one Vice President. • This comes as the MDC has moved to impeach Mugabe over the matter. • Legal experts have described the proposed applications as an abuse of the court process and an attention-seeking venture. They also scoffed at the idea of impeachment as the MDC does not have the numbers in Parliament to pass such a measure.

Mnangagwa begins consolidating power

Independent Media

Zimbabwe Independent, December 19, 2014

“Mnangagwa rapidly consolidates power”, by Elias Mambo

• Newly appointed Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa who holds five key government positions is consolidating power to secure his succession to the post of President, claims the Zimbabwe Independent.
  
• Mnangagwa holds the positions of Vice President, Zanu PF rotating chairperson, Justice Minister, ministerial-level intelligence chief and leader of Government Business in the National Assembly.
  
• No individual member has ever held so many portfolios in the Zanu PF government.
  
• Mnangagwa is acting president until Robert Mugabe returns to his duties on January 15; he is currently out of the country. This time will allow for Mnangagwa to assert his authority.
  

*State-owned media did not comment on this story.

Seven more ministers fired

State-owned Media

The Herald, December 22, 2014

“Seven more ministers fired”

• Robert Mugabe has fired seven more ministers as a result of ‘conduct and performance below the expected standard.’ Since the internal Zanu PF purge began the total number of ministers who have lost their position has reached 16.
  
• Those fired include Flora Buka (Minister of State for Presidential Affairs), Sylvester Nguni (Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office), Paul Chimedza (Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care), Tongai Muzenda (Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services), Tendai Savanhu (Deputy Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement), Petronella Kagonye (Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development) and Fortune Chasi (Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs).
  
• The seven ministers are under investigation along with the other ministers fired for their involvement in a plot to overthrow Robert Mugabe.
  

*Independent media did not cover this story in an in-depth manner