Harare – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced a mini-cabinet reshuffle, reassigning Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Frederick Shava to the less powerful Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.
In a move that has generated considerable speculation, Shava’s position has been filled by Amon Murwira, previously the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education. This marks the third cabinet reshuffle during Mnangagwa’s second term as President.
The announcement, made Tuesday by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya, stated that the reassignments were “with immediate effect.” The official statement, citing Section 104 Subsection (1) of the Zimbabwean Constitution, simply read: “In terms of Section 104 Subsection (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has reassigned the under-listed Ministers as follows: Hon. A. Murwira, M.P. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Hon. F.M. Shava, M.P. Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development. The re-assignments are with immediate effect.” No reasons were given for the changes.
This lack of explanation mirrors previous cabinet reshuffles under Mnangagwa’s administration. In March of this year, a similar reshuffle saw the portfolios of Industry and Commerce and Environment swapped between Sithembiso Nyoni and Mangaliso Ndlovu, again without any public explanation. The lack of transparency surrounding these decisions has fuelled speculation and raised questions about the government’s decision-making processes.
Shava’s appointment to the Foreign Affairs ministry in 2021 followed his return from New York, where he served as Zimbabwe’s representative to the United Nations. His appointment was seen as a strategic move by Mnangagwa, who hoped to leverage Shava’s extensive diplomatic experience to advance the government’s re-engagement drive with Western nations.
Shava, a veteran politician and diplomat, replaced the late Sibusiso Moyo in both the Senate and as foreign minister. However, the government’s efforts at re-engagement have faced considerable challenges, with ongoing accusations of electoral irregularities, human rights abuses, and economic mismanagement.
Shava’s career has been marked by both high achievement and controversy. He previously served as a minister in the 1980s, but resigned following his involvement in a corruption scandal exposed by the Justice Sandura Commission.
The commission implicated him in a shady vehicle deal involving Willovale Motor Industries, where government officials allegedly purchased cars at below-market prices and resold them at inflated prices to individuals and businesses. Despite this, he later served as ambassador to China and spent years as Zimbabwe’s top diplomat at the United Nations.
Murwira, who now takes over the Foreign Affairs portfolio, is not unfamiliar with the role, having served as acting Foreign Affairs Minister on previous occasions. His appointment, like Shava’s previous appointment, is likely to be closely scrutinised, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges facing Zimbabwe’s international relations.
The reshuffle comes at a critical time for Zimbabwe, with ongoing economic difficulties and strained relationships with some Western countries. The reasons behind the changes remain shrouded in mystery, leaving much room for speculation and analysis.
