Zanu-PF attempts to reassign Zimbabwean ministries, MDC angered
Sunday, October 12, 2008
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Image: Jeremy Lock.
Zanu-PF, which until recently had complete control over all Zimbabwean cabinet posts, has reassigned control of these in a process separate from the power sharing negotiations which are taking place. This move seems aimed at giving Zanu-PF, the party lead by Robert Mugabe, control of the most important government ministries. The move will not be official, however, until approved in the power sharing negotiations.
The move was announced yesterday in The Herald, a newspaper run by Zanu-PF, and was criticized heavily from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), which is led by Morgan Tsvangirai.
"The MDC dismisses the Zanu PF's unilaterally gazetted wish list of ministries, which is a betrayal of the wishes, expectations and aspirations of the majority of Zimbabweans," said the MDC in a press release. "The Herald-published list of ministries is a product of unilateral, contemptuous and outrageous machinations by Zanu PF. In fact, it is a giant act of madness which puts the whole deal into jeopardy. Zanu PF cannot nocturnally allocate ministries barely hours after the three principals agreed to disagree by referring the matter to the mediator after a logjam over all key ministries."
"Zanu PF's ploy is to preempt the visit of the mediator and any attempt by SADC to try and help Zimbabweans locate exit points to the current impasse," added the press release.
Zanu-PF allocation of ministries
| Ministry | Controlling Party |
|---|---|
| Defence | Zanu-PF |
| Home Affairs | Zanu-PF |
| Foreign Affairs | Zanu-PF |
| Transport | Zanu-PF |
| Local Government and Urban Development | Zanu-PF |
| Mines and Mining Development | Zanu-PF |
| Lands, Agriculture and Resettlement | Zanu-PF |
| Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism | Zanu-PF |
| Higher and Tertiary Education | Zanu-PF |
| Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development | Zanu-PF |
| Justice and Legal Affairs | Zanu-PF |
| Media, Information and Publicity | Zanu-PF |
| Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development | Zanu-PF |
| Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment | Zanu-PF |
| Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs | MDC |
| Economic Planning and Investment Promotion | MDC |
| Energy and Power Development | MDC |
| Health and Child Welfare | MDC |
| Labour and Social Welfare | MDC |
| Water Resources Development and Management | MDC |
| Public Service | MDC |
| Sport, Arts and Culture | MDC |
| State Enterprise and Parastatals | MDC |
| Science and Technology Development | MDC |
| Information Communication Technology | MDC |
| Public Works | MDC |
| National Housing and Social Amenities | MDC |
| Regional Integration and International Co-operation | MDC |
| Education | MDC |
| Industry and Commerce | MDC |
| Finance | Not allocated |
Sources
- "Zimbabwe: Mugabe Claims All Key Ministries" — AllAfrica, October 11, 2008
- "President allocates ministries" — The Herald (Zimbabwe), October 11, 2008
- Press Release: "Zimbabwe: MDC Dismisses Zanu PF's Midnight Ambush" — Movement for Democratic Change, October 11, 2008
