| Cabinet of Zimbabwe | |
| Seal: | Coat of arms of Zimbabwe.svg |
| Type: | Cabinet |
| Jurisdiction: | Government of Zimbabwe |
| Headquarters: | Munhumutapa Building, Harare |
The Cabinet of Zimbabwe is the executive body that forms the government of Zimbabwe together with the President of Zimbabwe. The Cabinet is composed of the President, the Vice-Presidents, and ministers appointed by the President. Until 1987, the Cabinet was chaired by the Prime Minister; it is now headed by the President.
On 30 November 2017, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who succeeded ousted President Robert Mugabe, formed a new cabinet.[1] On 3 December 2017, Mnangagwa replaced two of his ministers amidst criticism by opposition parties.[2] On 7 September 2018, President Mnangagwa appointed a new cabinet after winning 2018 presidential elections. The new 20-member cabinet, along with 13 deputy ministers and nine provincial ministers, was sworn in on 11 September 2018.[3]
Four members of the Cabinet of Zimbabwe died in the first two weeks of January 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe.[4]
The President appoints two vice Presidents, ministers, and deputy ministers; and may dismiss them. The President also assigns their powers and functions, including the administration of any Act of Parliament or of any Ministry or department, but the President may reserve to himself or herself the administration of an Act, Ministry or department. Ministers and Deputy Ministers are appointed from among Senators or Members of the National Assembly, but up to five, chosen for their professional skills and competence, may be appointed from outside Parliament.
Ministers and Deputy Ministers who are not Members of Parliament may sit and speak, but not vote, in the Senate or the National Assembly.
A member of the Cabinet is appointed by the President to be the leader of government business in the National Assembly.
After the 2023 Zimbabwe general elections, held on August 23 and 24, President Emmerson Mnangagwa named the following individuals to cabinet.[5]
| Portfolio | Minister | |
|---|---|---|
| Defence | Oppah Muchinguri | |
| Energy and Power Development | ||
| Environment, Climate, and Wildlife | ||
| Finance and Economic Development | Mthuli Ncube | |
| Foreign Affairs and International Trade | Frederick Shava | |
| Health and Child Care | Douglas Mombehora | |
| Higher and Tertiary Education Science and Technology Development | ||
| Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage | Kazembe Kazembe | |
| Industry and Commerce | ||
| Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services | Jenfan Muswere | |
| Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services | Tatenda Mavetera | |
| Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs | ||
| Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement | Anxious Jongwe Masuka | |
| Local Government and Public Works | Winston Chitando | |
| Mines and Mining Development | Zhemu Soda | |
| National Housing and Social Amenities | Daniel Garwe | |
| Primary and Secondary Education | ||
| Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare | ||
| Skills Audit and Development | Paul Mavima | |
| Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture | Kirsty Coventry | |
| State for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet | Lovemore Matuke | |
| Tourism and Hospitality Industry | Barbara Rwodzi | |
| Transport and Infrastructural Development | Felix Mhona | |
| Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs | Christopher Mutsvangwa | |
| Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development | ||
| Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training |
President Mnangagwa reshuffled his cabinet on 8 November 2019, with the following individuals being appointed to cabinet seats:[6] [7]
| Portfolio | Minister | |
|---|---|---|
| Defence and War Veterans | Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri | |
| Energy and Power Development | ||
| Environment, Climate Change, Tourism, and International Trade | ||
| Finance and Economic Development | Mthuli Ncube | |
| Foreign Affairs and International Trade | Frederick Shava[8] | |
| Health and Child Care | Constantino Chiwenga | |
| Higher and Tertiary Education Science and Technology Development | ||
| Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage | Kazembe Kazembe | |
| Industry and Commerce | ||
| Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services | Monica Mutsvangwa | |
| Information Communication Technology and Courier Services | Jenfan Muswere | |
| Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs | ||
| Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement | Anxious Jongwe Masuka[9] [10] | |
| Local Government and Public Works | July Moyo | |
| Mines and Mining Development | Winston Chitando | |
| National Housing and Social Amenities | Daniel Garwe | |
| Primary and Secondary Education | ||
| Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare | ||
| State Security | ||
| Transport and Infrastructural Development | Felix Mhona | |
| Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development | ||
| Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation |
Emmerson Mnangagwa was elected President for the first time in his own right in elections held on 30 July 2018 (after previously finishing the term of Robert Mugabe in July 2018). The election result was disputed and challenged before the Zimbabwean Constitutional court. The court ruled in Mnangagwa's favor and he was sworn in on 26 August 2018.[11]
On 31 August in accordance with the constitution, Mnangagwa appointed and swore in Constantine Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi as first and second Vice President respectively. The 2013 Constitution provides that any presidential election within ten years after the first election (the first election being 2013 after the adoption of the 2013 Constitution) the two Vice Presidents are appointed and not elected with the president. From 2023 onward the President and the two vice presidents will be elected on the same ticket and in the same election as the President.[12]
In making the announcement Mnangagwa stated his belief that he had chosen "the right team to head the ministries and is optimistic that they will deliver".[14]
Jonathan Moyo
Former Minister of Higher & Tertiary Education Jonathan Moyo reacted on Twitter saying "THREE LOSERS standout from Mnangagwa's newly appointed Cabinet:
1. DEVOLUTION has lost out; appointment of 10 provincial ministers violates s268 of the Constitution.
2. CHIWENGA sidelined; with his picks left out.
3. TRIBAL BALANCE compromised; as Mnangagwa's cronies dominate!"[15]
Jonathan Moyo also offered advice to the newly appointed Minister of Finance, Professor Mthuli Ncube warning him that as an outsider he will find it difficult to implement policies, and that "the Ministry of Finance does not have the high-end skills necessary for an economic ministry in a country with Zimbabwe's intractable socioeconomic problems; compounded by political malaise. There's no craft-competence from the permanent secretary, down to the shop floor".[16]
On the online publication, ZimLive.com journalist Lindie Whiz wrote an article in which she says "Zimbabwe's new Health Minister, Obadiah Moyo, is an academic fraud who does not have the qualification he claims to possess, according to the United States embassy." A medical doctor is quoted by the article casting doubt on Moyo's qualifications[17]
Moyo claims to be a pathologist but is not listed in the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe registry and has not practiced as such in Zimbabwe.
Following the 2017 Zimbabwean coup d'état which ousted Robert Mugabe from power, Emmerson Mnangagwa was sworn in as President and appointed a new cabinet which consisted of two vice presidents, appointed ministers of government, and provincial affairs ministers.
Robert Mugabe was sworn in as President after the 31 July 2013 elections. He appointed a new Cabinet of 26 ministers, which down from the 33 under Zimbabwe Government of National Unity of 2009. The new Cabinet consisted of the following:[19]
| Portfolio | Minister | |
|---|---|---|
| Defence | Sydney Sekeramayi | |
| Energy | ||
| Finance | Patrick Chinamasa | |
| Foreign Affairs | Simbarashe Mumbengegwi | |
| Health | David Parirenyatwa | |
| Higher Education | ||
| Home Affairs | Kembo Mohadi | |
| Industry and Commerce | ||
| Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services | Jonathan Moyo | |
| Information Communication Technology and Postal and Courier Services | Webster Shamu | |
| Indiginisation | Francis Nhema | |
| Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs | ||
| Agriculture | Joseph Made | |
| Local Government | Ignatius Chombo | |
| Mines | Walter Chidhakwa | |
| Presidential Affairs | Didymus Mutasa | |
| Primary and Secondary Education | ||
| Labour | ||
| Lands | ||
| Small and Medium Enterprises | Sithembiso Nyoni | |
| Women Affairs | ||
| Sports and Culture | ||
| Tourism | Walter Mzembi | |
| Transport | Obert Mpofu | |
| Water and Environment | Saviour Kasukuwere | |
| Senior Minister of State | Simon Khaya Moyo |
Following the disputed 2008 Zimbabwean general election, a Zimbabwe Government of National Unity of 2009 was formed consisting of a cabinet with members from the three main political parties in Zimbabwe.