On Friday, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda, announced that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had reshuffled his cabinet.
The changes did not generate much excitement, with some observers unconvinced. Here are some of the comments made by Zimbabweans on Twitter:
Ethiopia (107m) the second most populous nation in Africa after Nigeria, cut the size of its cabinet from 28 to 20, of which half were women. Delinquents in Zimbabwe with a population of less than 16m, are increasing the size of the cabinet. Ali Naka
My hunch is that this Cabinet is now so inflated that by the time the numbers are in people will be VERY shocked. Mduduzi Mathuthu
In 2005, Emmerson Mnangagwa was appointed to a backwater ministry called the Ministry of Rural Housing and Social Amenities.
14 years later, as president leading a broke government he has appointed one Daniel Garwe as Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities.
… the Cabinet needs total replacement. Reshuffling is just kungoshafula without a plan! Alex Magaisa
Inconsequential cabinet reshuffle. Changing of stomach politics, patronage. Pedzisai Ruhanya
ED Cabinet reshuffle! Casualty Mupfumira, no surprises. What does @SekaiNzenza know about industry? Interestingly ‘cash cow’ Public Services are given to a ‘homeboy’ @ProfPMavima. Hokoyo! July Moyo min stripped. Comberbach kicked out of @MoFA_ZW for that letter to @usembassyharare. Lloyd Msipa
So instead of reducing the already bloated cabinet, ED increased it. #Asakhe. Zenzele
Putting Cain Mathema in charge of #education is simply appalling. David Coltart.
Cde ED has moved from elevating the National Youth League alone. There are now more Provincial Youth League members deputising in Ministries too. Cde ED has extended the appointment to the Youth League as a whole.
National (NEC) members Hon. M. Ndlovu Hon. Y. Simbanegavi. – ZANU PF Patriots
Ministerial Changes Thread: In shifting Mangaliso Ndlovu I think the Ministry of Trade has lost someone who was very capacitated and progressive but that loss is Ministry of Environment’s gain.
Tino Machakaire comes in as politically astute and inclined to do more for the party as a young person than Kirsty. He is also well resourced and that means much in local politics.
But for the Education sector to which Cain Mathema has been transferred, I say rest in peace. That area needs an academic. My heart is bleeding. Education is the foundation of this country. Temba Mliswa.
While this cabinet reshuffle seems to be a non-event, seen historically & nationally, it’s a confirmation of Mnangagwa’s gukurahundi mentality & opposition to the 1987 Unity Accord. For the first time in decades, the security sector has no minister from Matabeleland. Outrageous! Jonathan Moyo.
Actually, the Unity Accord did not have any specific terms contrary to common beliefs. Umdala wethu signed up to stop the carnage in Matebeleland. It was more a gentleman’s agreement between the two men. I fear with both now gone the spirit of the UA may have gone with them. Alex Magaisa