By Staff Reporter
HARARE — President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday announced a mini-cabinet reshuffle, appointing Soda Zhemu as the new Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services while reassigning Jenfan Muswere to the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development.
The changes, announced by Chief Secretary to the Cabinet Martin Rushwaya, also see former Skills Audit Minister Paul Mavhima taking over the National Housing portfolio, replacing Zhemu.
Muswere’s removal from the influential information ministry is the most significant shift and follows a turbulent week marked by an aborted attempt to dismiss Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) board chairperson Halliate Rushwaya.
The decision was reportedly reversed after Mnangagwa intervened while on a visit to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Sources said the episode triggered serious fallout within government, exposing internal tensions over control of the state broadcaster.
In announcing Rushwaya’s removal, Muswere had appointed Chipo Nheta as interim board chairperson, with Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa as deputy.
State-controlled newspaper The Herald had already printed about 3,000 copies of the following day’s edition carrying Muswere’s announcement before the minister ordered a recall.
Insiders said the move resulted in substantial financial losses for the publication.
Muswere’s reassignment is understood to reflect Mnangagwa’s ongoing concerns over what he reportedly regards as weak and poorly coordinated government messaging.
The mini-reshuffle may signal the beginning of broader cabinet changes, with reports suggesting the President is considering bringing retired Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Phillip Valerio Sibanda into government, possibly as Minister of Lands.
