Francis Nhema

In the 2000 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Shurugwi returned to Parliament:

• Francis Nhema of Zanu PF with 14 891 votes,
• Lucia Gladys Matinenga of MDC with 6 524 votes,
• Maria Stella Rusere of ZUP with 523 votes.

In 2003, he was the Zanu PF Treasurer for the Midlands Province. The following year, he was given a seat in the Zanu PF's Central Committee. In 2007, he was appointed head of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Nhema's greatest achievement was in 2009 when he became Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Management during the Government of National Unity (GNU). In September 2013, Nhema was appointed as the Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, a move which was welcomed by members of the public who were disgruntled with the services that were rendered to them by Cde Saviour Kasukuwere who was the then Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment during the era of the GNU. Many youths across the political divide hailed the minister for his soft approach compared to his predecessor. ^[4]

Events

Farm Mechanisation Scheme

In July 2020, Francis Nhema 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.

Francis Nhema is listed under the thematic group “Politicians”. According to the list, he owes a debt of US$129,035.00. ^[5]

Save Conservacny

On 6 September 2014 - Zanu PF Save Valley ‘looters’ named

Senior Zanu PF officials and securocrats who were given concessions in the famed Save Valley Conservancy, in a move that has divided the party and invited fresh threats of sanctions against the country, have been exposed.

Walter Mzembi said handing out parts of conservancies to party activists was threatening the hosting of United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly, for 2015, in Victoria Falls. According to documents with Newsday, those named:

• Walter Mzembi - Tourism Minister
• Francis Nhema - Environment Minister
• Lieutenant Colonel David Moyo
• Major General Gibson Mashingaidze
• Retired Colonel Claudius Makova
• Assistant Commissioner Connel Dube
• Masvingo Provincial Intelligence Officer Chibaya
• Major General Engelbert Rugeje
• Brigadier General Livingstone Chineka
• Higher Education minister Stan Mudenge
• Health deputy minister Douglas Mombeshora
• Zanu PF central committee member Enock Porusingazi
• MP Ailess Baloyi
• MP Abraham Sithole
• MP Samson Mukanduri
• MP Noel Mandebvu
• MP Shuvai Mahofa
• MP Titus Maluleke
• MP Ronald Rundava

Others:

• ex-Tourism secretary Sylvester Maunganidze
• Nelson Mawema
• Farai Mukota
• Bertha Chikwama
• one Motokai
• Chief Gudo
• Chief Mundau Tshovani
• Chief Tafadzwa Ngarande
• Chief Ray Musimbwa
• Chief Grey Mushava
• Chief Josiah Pasi
• Chief Jeddy Jaboon
• Chief Gladman Chibememe
• Masvingo provincial administrator Felix Chikovo
• Tongai Muzenda - the late Vice-President Simon Muzenda’s son
• Elliot Takawira - believed to be related to the late former Zanu vice-president Leopold Takawira
• Joseph Chinotimba - war veterans’ leader

among others.
Chiredzi South MP Ailess Baloyi claimed he had been elected the new Save Valley Conservancy chairman. ^[6]

Allegations of fanning Factionalism

Nhema was also part of the top ZANU PF officials who were fingered for engaging in factional tendencies in which he was alleged to have been aligned to the Mujuru faction. Along with other politicians alleged to have been fanning factionalism, Nhema was also facing mounting criticism for having undermined the government efforts towards the policy of indigenisation.

Dismissal and Suspensions

Nhema was dismissed from the cabinet in December 2014 after the ZANU PF congress which was meant to remove all elements harbouring factionalism in the party. He was dismissed from office together with other ministers including vice president Joice Mujuru. He was replaced by the former governor for Manicaland province Christopher Mushohwe. ^[7]

In November 2017, Francis Nhema's suspension was lifted after Operation Restore Legacy and President Emmerson Mnangagwa had been inaugurated. Francis Nhema was then suspended for 3 years in March 2018 for allegedly running parallel structures. Francis Nhema Suspended For 3 Years

Accolades

1. Manager of the Year (1996)
2. Communicator of the Year (1997)
3. The Order of the Golden Ark Award (2001)
4. Silver Jubilee Tourism First Achiever Award for Outstanding contribution to the Development of Tourism in Zimbabwe
5. Silver Jubilee Tourism Merit Award ^[1]

Nomination Court 2023

The ZEC list of candidates for the August 2023 elections for Midlands Province have been released. ^[8]

Senate

CCC	Zanu PF
Sisasenkosi Ndebele	Tsitsi Veronica Muzenda
Sesel Zvidzai	Frederick Makamure Shava
Emilia Chamunogwa	Maybe Mbohwa
Erasmus Ntonga	Daniel Mackenzie Ncube
Jesca Bheka	Miriam Makweya
Luckson Shereni Mugara	Chenayimoyo Dunstan Francis Nhema

Trivia

He wrote 12 songs for Pax Gomo who is a gospel artist in 2012. ^[9] Nhema was also a trustee of the Zimbabwe Health Care Trust, the 21st February Movement Trust, Zimbabwe Children's Rehabilitation Trust, Relationship Service Trust, the Joshua Nkomo Trust and the Shurugwi Development Trust.^[1]

Further Reading

References