Mugabe awarded Cabinet posts to four Masvingo politicians: Walter Mzembi, Dzikamayi Mavhaire, Josiah Hungwe and Kudakwashe Bhasikiti. Out of the lot, only Hungwe is linked to Justice Minister Emerson Mnangagwa’s faction, while the remainder is assumed to be loyal to Vice President Joice Mujuru.
Although Mnangagwa and Mujuru have denied leading factions, reports here indicate a fresh political spat has arisen. While Mzembi remains the Minister responsible for tourism and Mavhaire has taken over the energy and power development portfolio, Hungwe was awarded an obscure responsibility in the education sector of what Mugabe called psycho-motor activities, a field many Zimbabweans are unclear about.
Bhasikiti, another Mujuru loyalist, is the new provincial affairs minister -a post similar to that of a governor.
Hungwe said he sees himself as a leader of educational reforms.
“It is a big post because I will design strategies to ensure that all the set targets within the educational sector are implemented. I feel greatly honoured,” said Hungwe.
Provincial party leaders, all loyal to Mnangangwa, were left out of the new Cabinet line-up. A senior Zanu (PF) official said Mugabe’s latest appointments would continue to cause friction in Masvingo.
“We are not going to work together,” he said. “We thought President Mugabe would have looked into balancing the posts but the rivalry between the two camps continues.” .
Post published in: News