Christopher Mutsvangwa

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Christopher Mutsvangwa
Christopher Mutsvangwa, Zanu PF
BornChristopher Hatikure Mutsvangwa
(1955-05-24) May 24, 1955 (age 68)
NationalityZimbabwe
Occupation
  • Entrepreneur
  • Farmer
  • Politician
EmployerGovernment of Zimbabwe
Political partyZimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front
Spouse(s)Monica Mutsvangwa (wife)
ChildrenNeville, Tawanda and Tinotenda

Christopher Hatikure Mutsvangwa, commonly referred to as just Chris Mutsvangwa is a Zimbabwean politician and a former special advisor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mutsvangwa is a businessman. He is the ZANU PF Secretary for Information (Spokesperson).

Personal Details

Born: 24 May 1955 at the now Harare Central Hospital in Salisbury in Rhodesia .[1]
He spent his early childhood in the high-density suburb of Mbare before going back to his rural home in Chief Nyamweda's area.
Marriage: He is married to a fellow politician Monica Mutsvangwa.

School / Education

Primary: Masawi and Marirangwe schools.[1]
Secondary: Kutama College from 1972 to 1974. [2]
He then continued his education at St Augustine's High School Penhalonga in Manicaland from 1974. Tertiary: He was also one of the few academics in post-colonial Zimbabwe to travel abroad for university education. [2] He studied BSc Management and Information Systems (Informatics) at Boston University in the USA in 1984. He did his postgraduate studies at St Johns University where he studied for a Masters in Public Administration in 1990. [3] He also studied at the University of Zimbabwe.[3]

He was one of the seven black students selected to study law at the University of Rhodesia. [1] He was in school with his contemporary politicians such as Ignatius Chombo and was taught by the likes of former minister Stan Mudenge. [1] He completed his secondary school at St Augustine Penhalonga in 1974 with the best Advanced level result for which he won a prize. [1]

A teacher he knew was Thompson Kumbirai Tsodzo.

Service/Career

Liberation Struggle

Mutsvangwa left University education in 1975 to join the liberation struggle in Mozambique. This he did together with some of his colleagues most of whom became nationalist politicians after the Second Chimurenga. He belongs to the crop of educated intellectuals who joined the guerrilla movements of Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU).[1]

Diplomatic Service

Mutsvangwa was among the pioneer corps to be sent out of the country on national duty. He served in Brussels, Belgium where he was accredited by the European Union. He also served at the United Nations in New York, USA together with Stan Mudenge. In 1989, he was part of the team that observed elections in 1990 which saw the coming in of SWAPO in Namibia. Mutsvangwa left diplomatic service in 1990. [1]

Professional, Business Life

Mutsvangwa was appointed Director-General of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation in 1991. In 1994 eyeing business opportunities of the dotcom era, he left for a career in telecommunications as one of the early pioneers of the cellular, broadband and internet industry of Zimbabwe. He was a leader consultant for the deployment of the first Siemens GSM digital switch of NetOne in 1998 and the first CISCO internet switch of TelOne in 1999. He was also behind several other trunk and ADSL projects with TelOne. Ambassador Mutsvangwa was a key player in the formation of POTRAZ together with the late Sarah Kachingwe, then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.[1]

Abandoning a promising family business career he waded back to active politics and was elected Secretary of the Harare Province of Zanu PF in 2000. After the elections in 2002, he was posted to the People’s Republic of China as ambassador. His brief was to anchor and drive the Look East Policy as Zimbabwe’s response to sanctions and regime change with the help of China in phenomenal resurgence. [1]

China, Ambassadorial Post

The land reform programme of President Mugabe and Zanu PF in 2000 spawned new national challenges even as it opened up so many opportunities for the multitude of Zimbabweans.[1] The assignment was a great success as it blunted and eventually overturned the western onslaught on Zimbabwe. The Look East Policy born out of necessity by President Mugabe has since become a boon not only to Zimbabwe but to the African continent as a whole. The now very topical African Renaissance is very much a product of the engagement with China that is rapidly ascending to pole position of the world economy. In 2012, Ambassador Mutsvangwa became Chairman of Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, a company that oversees the sale of US$2,5 billion worth of Zimbabwe’s diamonds, platinum, coal, chrome, nickel and other minerals. [4] He has successfully engaged major players in the diamond trade to blunt the effect of unfair American sanctions that are contrary to the KPCS spirit. He has also been at the heart of engaging the Obama administration to the extent of helping in Mayor Andrew Young to Zimbabwe as a Special Envoy of President Obama to President Mugabe.[1]

In the 2013 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Norton returned to Parliament:

  • Christopher Mutsvangwa of Zanu PF with 10 592 votes or 50.50 percent,
  • Voice Chinake of MDC–T with 9 360 votes or 44.62 percent,
  • Sipho Gumede of MDC–N with 894 votes or 4.26 percent,
  • Chance Mariro of MKD with 129 votes or 0.62 percent,

Total 20 975 votes

Minister, War Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, 2023

Following the 23-24 August 2023 elections, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced his new cabinet on 11 September 2023, including Christopher Mutsvangwa as Minister and Monica Mavhunga as deputy.

Events

Farm Mechanisation Scheme

In July 2020, Christopher Mutsvangwa was listed, in the BSR of 18 July 2020, as a beneficiary in the 2007 RBZ Farm Mechanisation Scheme, as a result of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme.

The data is analysed by recipients origin:.

  • Mashonaland provinces had the most beneficiaries, both in terms of numbers and value.

Mashonaland East got US$47,5 million,
Mashonaland West US$44,7 million
Mashonaland Central had US$34,2 million.

  • Two Matebeleland provinces had a combined total of US$13,9 million.
  • Masvingo US$26,4 million,
  • Manicaland US$18 million
  • Midlands US$14 million.

Christopher Mutsvangwa is listed under the thematic group “Politicians”. According to the list, he, of Pegreach Moncris Farm got US$80,699.00.. [5]

War Veterans Leader

Mutsvangwa was nominated uncontested to be the chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association on 16 November 2014. He was nominated at an elective congress held in Masvingo, replacing controversial Jabulani Sibanda who was expelled from the party on allegations of pursuing a factional agenda and fanning factionalism. [6]

Factional fights in Zanu PF 2014

Mutsvangwa was very vocal against the Mujuru camp of vice president Joice Mujuru. He discredited the group by arguing that they wanted to remove president Robert Mugabe from power through unconstitutional and illegal means. In a weekly programme held on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC TV), Mutsvangwa launched a barrage of attacks on Joice Mujuru, Didymus Mutasa, Jabulani Sibanda and Rugare Gumbo for fanning factionalism in the party. He was also on the fore front of calling for the resignation of Joice Mujuru from the presidium. For this reason, he has been described by some sections of the society as a Mugabe boot licker who is always showering praises on Mugabe.

Appointment as Cabinet Minister

Mutsvangwa was appointed minister in the newly created ministry of War Veterans and War Collaborators. The ministry incorporates the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association. He was one of the few loyalists who were awarded by Robert Mugabe after the purging of the Mujuru loyalists. He was also elected to the Zanu PF central committee.

Vote of No Confidence by Mash West

In December 2015 the Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial executive passed a vote of no confidence on Mutsvangwa and recommended for his recall from Parliament. This happened days after his wife Monica Mutsvangwa had a vote of no confidence passed on her by the Zanu PF Women’s League. [7] Chris Mutsvangwa was accused of gross misconduct and disloyalty and treachery following his utterances in the media where he was quoted saying: “we will always respect the institution of marriage and he (Saviour Kasukuwere) is confused and conflating the institution of marriage and that of the State.” This in reference to President Mugabe and the First Lady, Grace Mugabe. [8]

The December vote of no confidence was however not executed by the party, and was instead left hanging.

Media Fight against Jonathan Moyo

In February 2016, Mutsvangwa began a public fight in the media against Jonathan Moyo accusing him of being Ndabaningi Sithole's son as well as working to destroy Zanu PF. [9]

Vote of No Confidence by War Vets

On 12 February 2016, following a rally in Chiweshe held by Grace Mugabe, and one in which she attacked verbally the Emmerson Mnangagwa faction for having ambitions to succeed Mugabe, a vote of no confidence was passed on Mutsvangwa by some members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) for allegedly disrespecting President Mugabe. They said the suspended members were bringing the association’s name into disrepute. [10]

Defying Vote of No Confidence and Support of War Vets

On 15 February 2016, other members of ZNLWVA (provincial chairpersons and national executive members from Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces) met in Harare where they declared support for Chris Mutsvangwa and dismissed the vote of no-confidence passed against him and three other members on 12 February. The meeting accused the G40 of being agents of regime change and also criticised the verbal abuse of senior Zanu PF party members by Grace Mugabe. The meeting was addressed by ZNLWA Secretary General, Victor Matemadanda. The meeting sought to adopt a special resolution to convene an emergency general meeting of freedom fighters to look into recent developments in the association, the party and the nation. The resolution was passed and the meeting claimed they would take the resolution the patron of ZNLWVA, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.[11]

ZNLWVA Meeting in Harare on 15 February 2016

Three Year Suspension from Zanu-PF & Dismissal from Cabinet

In a politburo meeting held on 3 March 2016 in Harare, Chris Mutsvangwa was suspended for three years for gross misconduct and disloyalty. His wife, Monica Mutsvangwa and Women’s Affairs secretary for Administration Esphina Nhari were also suspended in the same meeting.

Being suspended members they would not be allowed to hold any positions in the party during the three years. The two Mutsvangwas would however remain Zanu PF National Assembly members for Norton and Senator for Manicaland, respectively. [12]

Days later, on 4 March 2016, President Mugabe dismissed Christopher Mutsvangwa from Cabinet as 'Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators and Former Political Detainees Minister, replacing him with his deputy, retired Colonel Tshinga Dube. [13]

Mutsvangwa was quoted in the media the next day commenting that he didn't care about being fired because he preferred elected office to serving at the discretion of an individual:

I neither care for that politburo post, nor indeed for the ministerial appointment. So Norton constituency, yes; war veterans’ chairmanship, yes; politburo and Cabinet appointments – I don’t really care. In fact, two days ago I asked His Excellency for the honour of dismissing me because I only came in to save the revolutionary ethos and not to be served.... I am in a different mould from the vapid and vacuous ‘Gang of Four’ of Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere and Zhuwao. They are clutching on the robes of Jiang Jing and Mao era Gang of Four lunacy.[14]

Nomination Court 2023

The ZEC list of candidates for the August 2023 elections for Mashonaland West Province have been released. [15]

Appointment to Cabinet And Dismissal (2023-240)

Mutsvangwa was appointed the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle in President Emmerson Mnangagwa's third Cabinet which was announced on 11 September 2023.[16]

However, he was on the job for less than five months as he was fired By President Mnangagwa on 03 February 2024. No reasons were given for his dismissal.[17]

Senate
CCC Zanu PF
Editor Eremenziah Matamisa Bybit Lydia Tsomondo
Tawanda Ralph Magunje Christopher Mutsvangwa
Abigale Usai Priscah Mupfumira
Fidelis Zvidzai Mugari Sikelela James Gumpo
Namatayi Karemba Caroline Tsitsi Mugabe
Charles Mashonganyika Joseph Madziva Chirongoma

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 , He Abandoned Law School in Pursuit of Independence, "The Herald", published:24 Jul 2013,retrieved:22 Nov 2014"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Christopher Mutsvangwa, About, "Official Facebook Page",retrieved:22 Nov 2014"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Facebook
  4. , Profile,retrieved:22 Nov 2014"
  5. https://www.bigsr.co.uk/single-post/2020/07/18/BSR-EXCLUSIVE-Beneficiaries-of-the-RBZ loan of US$325,368.00-Farm-Mechanisation-Scheme BSR EXCLUSIVE: Beneficiaries of the RBZ Farm Mechanisation Scheme], Big Saturday Read, Published: 18 July 2020 Retrieved: 18 July 2020
  6. George Maponga, Mutsvangwa new war vets boss, The Sunday News, Published: 16 Nov 2014, Retrieved: 6 Dec 2015
  7. Tendai Mugabe Mutsvangwa booted out , The Herald , Published: 90 Dec 2015, Retrieved: 13 Feb 2016
  8. Tendai Mugabe, LATEST: Mutsvangwa suspended, The Herald, Published: 14 Dec 2014, Retrieved: 13 Feb 2016
  9. Munyaradzi Musiiwa Moyo recruited to destroy Zanu-PF: Mutsvangwa, The Herald , Published:8 Feb 2016 , Retrieved: 13 Feb 2016
  10. Fidelis Munyoro Mutsvangwa, wife booted out , The Herald , Published: 13 Feb 2016, Retrieved: 13 Feb 2016
  11. War veterans breathe fire •rally behind Mutsvangwa •accuse G40 of fronting regime change, The Herald, Published:16 February 2016 , Retrieved: 18 February 2016
  12. Felex Share, Mutsvangwas booted out, The Herald , Published: 4 Mar 2016, Retrieved:4 Mar 2016
  13. Kuda Bwititi and Lincoln Towindo, Mutsvangwa kicked out of Cabinet, The Sunday Mail, Published: 6 Mar 2016 , Retrieved:7 Mar 2016
  14. Everson Mushava, I don’t care, Mutsvangwa tells Mugabe, NewsDay , Published:05 Mar 2016, Retrieved:7 Mar 2016
  15. [Government Gazette Extraordinary, Vol. CI, No. 64 30th June 2023], Government Gazette Extraordinary Vol. CI, No. 64 30th June 2023, Published: 30 June 2023, Retrieved: 30 June 2023
  16. President announces new Cabinet, The HeraldZim, Published: 11 September 2023, Retrieved: 05 February 2024
  17. President announces new Cabinet, Pindula News, Published: 03 February 2024, Retrieved: 05 February 2024

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