Zimbabwe has a brand new cabinet. But the process did not go smoothly: public outcry forced the president to drop appointees at the last minute.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/T. Karumba
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Several last-minute changes were made before Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa swore in his new cabinet on Monday (04/12). 75-year-old Mnangagwa officially announced his cabinet at the end of last week. But just a day later he dropped two ministers, — a move widely viewed as a response to a public uproar over the president's decision to retain a number of ministers from ousted president Robert Mugabe's cabinet.
Lazarus Dokora was replaced by Paul Mavima as education minister. Dokora, who had served in Mugabe's government since 2013, faced heavy criticism for introducing changes to the country's education curriculum which were widely seen as detrimental to the country's once-revered school system.
Last minute re-shuffle
Clever Nyathi was also dropped as the labor minister in favor of Petronella Kagonye. Both new appointees are lawmakers in the governing ZANU-PF party. However Nyathi is expected to remain on as a special advisor on national peace and reconciliation.
War veterans' leader Christopher Mutsvangwa, who was last week appointed to the Information Ministry, was reassigned to the position of the president's special advisor.
Major general Sibusiso Moyo led the ousting of President Robert MugabeImage: Reuters/ZBC
Victor Matemadanda, the Secretary General of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), was earmarked as deputy minister for security. However he has been reassigned as political commissar of the Zanu-PF party.
A fresh start?
Secretary to the president, Misheck Sibanda, explained that the last-minute changes were "adjustments made to ensure compliance with the constitution and considerations of gender, demography and special needs."
Mnangagwa came under heavy criticism for recycling officials from Mugabe's era. Zimbabweans were hoping for a fresh start after the former vice-President replaced Mugabe, who clung to power for more than three decades.
Mugabe was forced to step down by the army, where Mnangagwa still has important allies. He nominated two of them to cabinet positions, further angering the public.
Prominent positions for the army
The new foreign affairs minister is Sibusiso Moyo, the major general who on November 15th now famously appeared on state TV to announce the military's takeover. The power grab enabled Mnangagwa to replace 93-year-old Mugabe.
The new lands minister is the commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ), Air Marshal Perence Shiri. He previously headed a special North-Korean trained unit that is alleged to have committed atrocities during a crackdown on a rebellion in the western Matabeleland province in the early 1980s. At the time his soldiers massacred an estimated 20,000 people.
Zimbabweans hoping that members of the opposition would be appointed to the new cabinet were ultimately disappointed with the outcome.
The week that changed Zimbabwe
President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe was removed as the ZANU-PF party's leader after holding the post for 37 years. The party’s youth league, the military and his supporters also withdrew from backing Mugabe.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/B.Curtis
Mnangagwa, Grace Mugabe go head to head
In November 2018, Robert Mugabe dismissed his vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, after accusing him of "plotting a coup against the government." Some Zimbabweans feared Mugabe was grooming his wife, Grace Mugabe, to take over in the event of his death.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/J. Njikizana
Chiwenga's warning
On November 13, 2017, General Constantino Chiwenga, commander of Zimbabwe's Defense Force, warned that the army could "step in" to save the country from political tension and economic crisis.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/J. Njikizana
Tanks in Harare
Military and armored vehicles were seen at the outskirts of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, on November 14, 2017. On the same day, the military also took over the state-run broadcaster ZBC.
Image: Reuters/P. Bulawayo
Mugabe safe in army hands
On November 15, 2017, Major General SB Moyo, the military spokesman, announced on the ZBC that Mugabe and his family were "safe and sound and their security was guaranteed." He said the military was targeting "criminals around" Mugabe who were "committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering."
Image: Reuters/ZBC
A 'smiling' Mugabe meets Chiwenga
On November 16, 2017, General Constantino Chiwenga, along with other officials, was seen in military uniform meeting President Robert Mugabe (C) at the State House. It was reported that Mugabe was smiling as they both shook hands. However, the leaders of ZANU-PF announced that there was "no going back."
Image: Reuters/Zimpapers/J. Nyadzayo
Mugabe puts in a public appearance
After being placed under house arrest, Mugabe appeared publicly at a university graduation ceremony on November 17, 2017. Here, a military officer adjusts a chair for Mugabe, who is dressed in a blue-and-yellow academic gown, to sit on after arriving to preside over the ceremony. Mugabe, who was reportedly tired, was then caught falling asleep.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/B. Curtis
Zimbabweans call on Mugabe to go
On November 18, 2017, residents of the capital, Harare, held a protest with anti-Mugabe placards demanding the president's resignation. Veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for Mugabe to be forced from office.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/Z. Auntony
Mugabe ousted from ZANU-PF leadership
Zimbabwean War Veterans leader Chris Mutsvangwa (R) arrived at a meeting of the ruling ZANU-PF party in Harare November 19, 2017. After hours of deliberation, the party announced that it had decided to fire Mugabe as leader of the party.
Image: Reuters/P. Bulawayo
Mugabe does not step down
Many expected that after being recalled as ZANU-PF party leader, President Mugabe would use his address to the nation resign with dignity. Zimbabweans were left shocked after the rambling speech made no reference to him stepping down. Mugabe now faces impeachment, with proceedings believed to be starting on Tuesday.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/Str
End of an era
Rather than face impeachment proceedings, Robert Mugabe prompted dancing in the streets of Harare when he resigned on November 22. "My decision to resign is voluntary on my part and arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire for a smooth, non-violent transfer of power," the 93-year-old said in a letter.
Image: picture-alliance/AP/T. Mukwazhi
Euphoria in Harare
Supporters of Emmerson Mnangagwa celebrate the end of four decades under Mugabe. Mnangagwa was joined by cheering crowds after he returned to Zimbabwe from exile in neighboring South Africa. He is expected to be sworn in on November 24.
