PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe is expected to make a major cabinet reshuffle when he returns from his annual leave soon, it has emerged.
by PAIDAMOYO MUZULU
This comes amid reports that newly appointed Zanu PF politburo and central committee members spent the festive holidays canvassing for appointment in government.
A source close to the on-going jostling confirmed senior politicians were canvassing Mugabe and Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa for consideration ahead of the cabinet reshuffle when Mugabe flies in from holiday mid-January.
The aspirants are said to be leaving no stone unturned in their lobbying for posts in Mugabe’s new cabinet which will include replacements for two ministers and five deputies sacked by Mugabe two days before Christmas.
Mugabe dismissed seven ministers by cable while away in the Far East on his annual holiday. The seven including ministers of State, Sylvester Nguni and Flora Buka and five deputy ministers were allegedly aligned to ousted vice-president Joice Mujuru.
They were all fired on charges of failing to deliver according to expectation despite there being no regulations or law that specifies cabinet conduct and performance.
“There has been unprecedented canvassing in the Mnangagwa camp, especially over the Christmas holidays. Several stalwarts in the camp have been in contact with Mnangagwa either by phone or in personal visits to his rural home in Zvishavane or his farm in Kwekwe trying to seek his influence for appointment into cabinet,” the source said.
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Another source said other officials were also lobbying Mugabe, mostly through the First Lady and some of his top aides. According to the sources, apart from filling the vacant ministerial positions, Mugabe was likely to do an overhaul reshuffle of cabinet.
“No one is safe save for the VPs as Mugabe is likely to re-assign several ministers in a major cabinet reshuffle,” said the source.
So far Mugabe has fired a total 16 ministers in the aftermath of the December Zanu PF congress where the Mujuru faction was decimated.
The sacking, another insider said, has fuelled jostling for positions from the Mnangagwa allies who feel they are entitled to reward for their hand in the political annihilation of Mujuru and her allies.
Mnangagwa has emerged the biggest post-congress winner holding five senior positions in government and party at the same time. He is now the party and state vice-president, national co-chairman, Justice minister and leader of government business in parliament.
“Mnangagwa’s positions and perceived influence are forcing his allies to make a bee line to see him ahead of the expected cabinet reshuffle,” the source said.
But there were also reports that Zanu PF infighting was taking a new twist amid claims party hawks, in particular the so-called Gang of Four have sharpened their daggers against Mnangagwa for allegedly conniving with Mugabe to deny them influential party and government appointments.
Presidential spokesperson, George Charamba could not be reached for comment on the reshuffle claims yesterday.
