By Staff Writer
THERE has not been any detail as yet concerning to reasons behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa removal of Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Christopher Mutsvangwa from office in a development which has left many speculating.
In the same stroke, Mnangagwa appointed three deputy ministers to ministries that were running without deputies since formation of a new Cabinet announced after the August 2023 harmonised elections.
In a statement, deputy chief secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet in charge of Presidential Communications, George Charamba, said Mnangagwa had relieved his erstwhile praise-singer with immediate effect.
No reason was given for Mutsvangwa’s axing from the ministry.As a result some now believe that he was sacked for aiding opposition leader Nelson Chamisa while others say Mutsvangwa is mired in factional fights within the ruling party.
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa has appointed three deputy ministers namely, Omphile Marupi to the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Sheillah Chikomo to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Benjamin Kabikira to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
Marupi will work with Jenfan Muswere, who leads the Information ministry while Chikomo will deputise Frederick Shava and Kabikira will subordinate Winston Chitando.
Informed official sources told a local private weekly paper that some of the reasons the militant Mutsvangwa was sacked include his dodgy business dealings with Chinese investors, his son Neville’s commercial undertakings, especially regarding United States Starlink satellite internet service operated by the world’s richest man Elon Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX and fallout with war veterans ahead of their expected congress whose date is yet to be announced.
Besides, Mutsvangwa has bad relations with Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who was Acting President when Mnangagwa was recently on leave, and the military top hierarchy.
“Mutsvangwa was fired for several reasons, but the final straw was his attack on Muswere — and by extension Mnangagwa — over new board appointments at ZBC and Zimpapers. Mutsvangwa wrote to Mnangagwa complaining about Muswere, saying he was removing information or propaganda chiefs who helped Zanu PF win elections and does not know anything about party policy. This was seen as gross interference in another ministry’s affairs, brazen arrogance and unacceptable challenge to the highest appointing authority, the President,” a source said.
