Saviour Kasukuwere Explained

Saviour Kasukuwere
Birth Date:23 September 1970
Birth Place:Mount Darwin, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)
Office:Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and National Housing
President:Robert Mugabe
Term Start:9 October 2017
Term End:27 November 2017
Office1:Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing
President1:Robert Mugabe
Term Start1:6 July 2015
Term End1:17 November 2017
Predecessor1:Ignatius Chombo
Office2:Minister of Environment, Water and Climate
President2:Robert Mugabe
Term Start2:11 September 2013
Term End2:6 July 2015
Predecessor2:Francis Nhema
Successor2:Oppah Muchinguri
Office3:Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment
President3:Robert Mugabe
Term Start3:13 February 2009
Term End3:11 September 2013
Successor3:Francis Nhema
Party:ZANU–PF (until 2017)
Occupation:Politician, businessman
Nickname:Tyson
Spouse:Barbara Kasukuwere
Children:Takudzwa (son), Natasha (daughter), Clara (daughter), and Christian (son)
Relatives:Danny Kasukuwere (brother)Stan Kasukuwere (brother), Tongai Kasukuwere (brother), Sarah Kasukuwere (sister) Dadirayi Kasukuwere (sister)

Saviour Kasukuwere (born 23 September 1970) is a Zimbabwean politician who served in the government of Zimbabwe as Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and National Housing between October and November 2017. He was also the ZANU–PF party's national political commissar until December 2017. Before that he was Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment, and Minister of the Environment, Water and Climate. In October 2020, the Zimbabwe government sought Kasukuwere's extradition after issuing a warrant for his arrest.[1] It was revealed that Kasukuwere was among loyalists of former President Robert Mugabe who fled to South Africa before their criminal trials could be completed.

Career

Politics

He has been a member of the Pan-African Parliament since 2004.[2] He was Deputy Secretary of Youth Affairs in the Politburo of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and subsequently Secretary for the Commissariat. He has been the Member of Parliament for Mount Darwin South Parliamentary Constituency since 2000. From 2005 until February 2009, he served as the Zimbabwean Deputy Minister of Youth Development and Employment Creation.[3]

Kasukuwere was Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment from 2009 to 2013. Following President Robert Mugabe's victory in the July 2013 presidential election, he moved Kasukuwere to the post of Minister of the Environment on 10 September 2013.[4]

President Mugabe moved Kasukuwere to the post of Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing on 6 July 2015.[5] In October 2017 the ministry was expanded to include Rural Development.

2017 coup d'etat and aftermath

On 19 November 2017, Kasukuwere was expelled from ZANU–PF by the party's central committee. Other prominent G40 politicians, including Grace Mugabe, Jonathan Moyo, Patrick Zhuwao, Ignatius Chombo, Walter Mzembi, Shadreck Mashayamombe, Makhosini Hlongwane, Innocent Hamandishe, Samuel Undenge, and Sarah Mahoka were also expelled from the party.[6]

On 27 November 2017, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who succeeded ousted President Robert Mugabe, announced the dissolution of the Zimbabwean Cabinet, leaving only Patrick Chinamasa and Simbarashe Mumbengegwi as acting ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs respectively.[7]

Business

He owns several companies including Comoil (executive Director until 2005), Migdale Holdings Limited, and Allen Wack & Shepherd. He is a citrus farmer in Mazowe, Zimbabwe. His business received the political blessings of Robert Mugabe. He joined the Zimbabwean government as a state security official .He served in Mozambique during the Renamo conflict. He chaired the Zimbabwe Defence Forces DRC Fundraising Committee.He was a Member of the Defence Soccer Team, Black Rhinos.

Sanctions

Since 2003, Kasukuwere is on the United States sanctions list.[8]

Self Exile

In November 2017, Kasukuwere fled the country alongside other G40 members, Professor Jonathan Moyo and Mr Patrick Zhuwao, who remain in exile. After six months and six days in self-imposed exile, he finally returned home.[9]

2023 presidential candidacy

Kasukuwere announced his bid to stand for president on 20 June 2023. He was gazetted as a presidential candidate but denied to stand by court order.

Notes and References

  1. News: Zimbabwe seeks former Mugabe minister Saviour Kasukuwere's extradition to face criminal charges. Carien. Du Plessis. Daily Maverick. South Africa. 13 October 2020. 23 December 2020. 14 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201114080207/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-10-13-zimbabwe-seeks-former-mugabe-minister-saviour-kasukuweres-extradition-to-face-criminal-charges/. live.
  2. Web site: List of Members of the Pan African Parliament. 15 March 2004. The African Union Commission. https://web.archive.org/web/20131104152023/http://www.africa-union.org/organs/pan%20african%20parliament/List%20of%20Members%20pap.pdf. 4 November 2013. 30 November 2017.
  3. Web site: Keynote Address by the Honourable Minister of Youth Development and Employment. 22 May 2005. Ministry of Youth Development and Employment Creation. https://web.archive.org/web/20070524064358/http://www.mydgec.gov.zw/archives.htm . 24 May 2007. 2007-05-30. Youth Development and Employment Creation Deputy Minister Cde Savior Kasukuwere told Parliament that the national youth service was key in ensuring self-sustainability ....
  4. News: Zimbabwe: President Mugabe Appoints New Cabinet. 11 September 2013. The Herald (Harare). 30 November 2017. 10 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141210185851/http://allafrica.com/stories/201309110715.html. live.
  5. Web site: Chombo, Moyo, Tyson reassigned. 7 July 2015. The Herald (Harare). en-US. 2017-11-30. 17 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190417183828/http://www.herald.co.zw/chombo-moyo-tyson-reassigned/. live.
  6. News: Zanu PF axe falls on Grace, G40 kingpins - NewsDay Zimbabwe. Chidza. Richard. 2017-11-20. NewsDay Zimbabwe. 2017-11-29. en-US. 1 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032808/https://www.newsday.co.zw/2017/11/zanu-pf-axe-falls-grace-g40-kingpins/. live.
  7. News: Mnangagwa dissolves cabinet, Chinamasa appointed Acting Finance Minister. 2017-11-27. The Zimbabwe Mail. 2018-07-10. en. 30 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171130104232/http://www.thezimbabwemail.com/headlines/mnangagwa-dissolves-cabinet-chinamasa-appointed-acting-finance-minister/. live.
  8. Web site: Blocking property of persons undermining democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe . 31 July 2021 . 27 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210727073842/https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2003/03/10/03-5848/blocking-property-of-persons-undermining-democratic-processes-or-institutions-in-zimbabwe . live .
  9. News: Zimbabwe: Kasukuwere Returns Home, Questioned By State Agents at Airport. Staff Reporter. 2018-05-23. New Zimbabwe (London). 2018-05-23. 24 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180524082338/http://allafrica.com/stories/201805230036.html. live.