Harare – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced a significant reshuffle within his cabinet, reassigning two key ministers and appointing a new Director-General for the President’s Department, also known as the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).
The changes, announced in a statement by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya, took effect immediately, even while the President is currently on his annual leave. His two deputies will take turns acting as President during this time.
The statement detailed the ministerial reassignments: “In terms of Subsection 1 of Section 104 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has reassigned the under-listed Ministers as follows: Hon. J.G. Moyo, M.P. Minister of Energy and Power Development; Hon. E. Moyo, M.P. Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. The re-assignments are with immediate effect,” Rushwaya stated.
This means July Moyo, previously Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, now takes on the Energy and Power Development portfolio. Conversely, Edgar Moyo assumes the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare ministry, previously held by July Moyo.
Simultaneously, President Mnangagwa appointed Fulton Mangwanya, the Director-General of the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks), as the new Director-General of the President’s Department. This appointment, also effective immediately, replaces Isaac Moyo as the head of the CIO.
The statement regarding this appointment read: “In terms of Section 226(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has appointed Dr. Fulton Mangwanya as the Director General, President’s Department. The appointment is with immediate effect,” according to Rushwaya’s statement. No reasons were given for any of these changes.
These personnel shifts come amidst reports suggesting further redeployments within the security sector and follow recent comments by the President himself. In a recent interview with state media, the 82-year-old Zanu-PF leader, who reportedly plans to seek a third presidential term, hinted at upcoming changes to his cabinet. This latest reshuffle represents a significant move during his month-long annual leave, which commenced on 31 December 2024.
July Moyo, a close ally of President Mnangagwa, has held a cabinet position since 2018, shortly after Mnangagwa assumed the presidency following a military coup. This marks a return to a familiar portfolio for Moyo, having previously served as Minister of Energy and Power Development under President Robert Mugabe from July 2000 to February 2004. Edgar Moyo, on the other hand, only recently joined the cabinet in September 2023.
The President’s decision to reshuffle his cabinet while on leave has not been without criticism. Mnangagwa’s ministers have faced considerable public pressure for their perceived failure to address the ongoing economic crisis and improve the living standards of Zimbabweans. The President himself has also faced criticism for repeatedly appointing the same ministers, many of whom have been accused of underperformance.
