President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s new Cabinet received an
overwhelming thumbs down, with observers saying it was neither inspiring nor
capable of changing the country’s fortunes and instead he had chosen to stick
with the old guard often credited with ruining the country’s economy.
Many had expected Mnangagwa to appoint a lean Cabinet, with
fresh faces, but he chose to stick mostly with those that had served his
predecessor.
“The new Cabinet is not at all inspiring; it is like recycling
dead wood, it’s actually a distinction without difference. It is like showing
the reverse side of the same coin, it is more of the same,” MDC-T spokesperson,
Obert Gutu said.
“Essentially, this is like putting old wine in new bottles.
There will be no fundamental change in approach, going forward.
“Most of the people in this Cabinet don’t have any new and
refreshing ideas to kick-start the comatose economy.”
The party’s deputy president, Nelson Chamisa took to
Twitter to express his disappointment with Mnangagwa’s appointments.
“The so-called ‘new Cabinet’ is the new old and old new
(sic). The ‘new’ old President has not renewed. Command Cabinet, command
politics, command elections, command agriculture and command economics are not
indicators of a New Zim and new beginning. Young people take charge (sic)!”
The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) said it was not
surprising that Mnangagwa is reading from Mugabe’s handbook.
“It was always clear to NCA that the ascendance of
President Emmerson Mnangagwa was just the takeover of government by a faction
of Zanu PF that had the support of the army,” party spokesperson, Madock
Chivasa said.
The Joice Mujuru-led National People’s Party labelled the
Cabinet a military one, saying it did not inspire confidence at all.
“Firstly, this is a GNU (government of national unity)
between the army, Zanu PF and a section of the war veterans.
“Put simply, it’s a military Cabinet that is calibrated
with failed and recycled dead wood,” party spokesperson, Gift Nyandoro said.
“Zimbabweans should never expect miracles for there is no
way the nation can expect to solve our economic challenges using the same kind
of thinking that created them.
“Simply put, Zanu PF is a system of failed national
leadership to which Mugabe was simply a representative face.
Zimbabweans now need to go for complete dismantling of the
system come 2018 harmonised elections.”
Activist, Farai Maguwu described the Cabinet as recycled
“corruption legends, who have no honour”.
“The new Cabinet is brazenly militaristic, chauvinistic and
misogynist. Far from focusing on economic recovery, the new President is more
concerned about surrounding himself with military tanks and gunpowder,” he
said.
“That we don’t have a single person under the age of 40 in
this Cabinet means the new government is an old people’s home guarded by the
military.
“The selection criteria was based on Zanu PF factional
positions, as opposed to competency and integrity.”
Mnangagwa’s 22-member Cabinet has sparked debate on whether
the new President will avoid falling into his predecessor’s trap of having a
bloated Cabinet that drained the overburdened fiscus.
Those that have served under Mugabe and have been
reappointed are David Parirenyatwa (Health), Oppah Muchinguri (Environment),
Lazarus Dokora (Education), Prisca Mupfumira (Tourism), Patrick Chinamasa
(Finance), Kembo Mohadi (Defence, Security and War Veterans), Simbarashe
Mumbengegwi (Presidential Affairs), Mike Bimha (Industry) Simon Khaya Moyo
(Energy), Sithembiso Nyoni (Women and Youth Affairs), Jorum Gumbo (Transport),
Supa Mandiwanzira (ICT) and Obert Mpofu (Home Affairs).
Those with a military background include Air Marshal
Perrance Shiri (Lands), Major General Sibusiso Moyo (Foreign Affairs). Coming
from the war veterans’ wing are Christopher Mutsvangwa (Information) and Victor
Matemadanda (War Veterans deputy minister).
A source claimed Mnangagwa had limited options, as most MPs
had no professional skills, let alone five Ordinary levels passes.
The source said the likes of Mpofu were kept to ensure
regional balance.
“Opposition leaders also refused with their MPs, as they
wanted themselves to be appointed in Cabinet,” the source claimed.
MDC spokesperson, Kurauone Chihwayi insisted the retention
of the likes of Dokora was a joke.
“More worrying though is the fact that the masterminds of
the military coup against Mugabe and his G40 have simply replaced their
military fatigues with civilian suits and remained in charge,” he said.
“The appointment of soldiers into Cabinet teaches us that
Mnangagwa’s administration is indeed a military junta we always feared it would
be.
“Thus, from the G40 cabal, straight into a military junta.”
Rejoice Ngwenya, a political analyst, described Mnangagwa’s
appointments as a missed penalty in injury time.
Commenting on Twitter, Norton independent legislator, Temba
Mliswa, who has been advocating for Mnangagwa’s leadership said: “After the
‘new’ Cabinet, the sensation of hope that had been born from the post-Mugabe
era, has just been extinguished. I cannot say too much. It was supposed to be
about national interest.”
Alex Magaisa, a prominent legal analyst, said many people
expected change to be visible in the make-up of the new Cabinet.
He said people expected new faces and fresh ideas.
“Unless Mnangagwa has a miraculous formula, it will be hard
to teach these old dogs new tricks,” he said.
Others expressed outrage at Mnangagwa’s failure to appoint
more female ministers.
Only three women out of 22 ministers were appointed.
Chairperson of the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe, Pamela
Mhlanga said Mnangagwa’s appointments fell short of constitutional dictates
that call for equal representation. She said key ministries such as Defence,
Mining, Finance, Education and Health had been kept exclusively for men.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition director, Memory Kadau said:
“We maintain that the Zimbabwe reform and reconstruction agenda can only be
driven and implemented by competent personnel with strong traits of integrity
and accountability.”
Political commentator and Shalom Project Trust director,
Anglistone Sibanda said: “He (Mnangagwa) kept the same known looters and
mediocre persons, the people feel betrayed and the optimism has been destroyed.
“It has also exposed what we have always said that Zimbabwe
is a military state run by a junta that doesn’t care about people.”
A Bulawayo resident, Muziwethu Ngulube said Zimbabweans had
been taken for a ride.
“How can the same old looters, who stood with the dictator
in denying us freedom and destroying our economy, be awarded half of the
ministries?
“This can only translate to one thing, loyalty and
factionalism comes first in Zanu PF.
“The new President is just awarding his foot soldiers, who
stood with him in Team Lacoste with jobs.
“However, let’s not condemn them yet, let’s wait and see,
maybe they have transformed, if not, the election is just around the corner, we
will vote them out.”
Ibhetshu likaZulu secretary general, Mbuso Fuzwayo said:
“It is unfortunate that the general populace thought the Cabinet will be
inclusive, less military, but it is worse than Mugabe’s. Newsday
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