President Robert Mugabe outmanoeuvred the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change in naming the new government because his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front ended up with more ministers than the two MDC factions.
Under the Global Political Agreement signed by the parties on 15 September 2008, the new government was supposed to have a cabinet of 31 ministers, 15 from ZANU-PF and 16 from the two MDC factions.
But when cabinet was announced it had been expanded to 47 ministers, 25 from ZANU-PF and 22 from the MDC.
The new cabinet had 42 ministers, 22 from ZANU-PF and 20 from the MDC factions. Five other ministers, three ZANU-PF and two MDC were not members of the cabinet.
The increase in the cabinet and the number of ministers gave ZANU-PF a majority though in principle all decisions were to be made by consensus.
According to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks ZANU-PF leader President Robert Mugabe was the prime mover for the expanded cabinet but MDC leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara took the bite because they also wanted to accommodate their own people.
”Mugabe was the prime mover as ZANU-PF lost cabinet positions as a result of the inclusive government, and he tried to find positions for ZANU-PF loyalists. Nevertheless, Tsvangirai and Mutambara went along in an effort to find positions for some of their people as well,” the cable says.
A Zimbabwean organisation took the government to court for violating the GPA by increasing the size of the cabinet but lost the case.
Full cable:
Viewing cable 09HARARE162, NEW ZIMBABWEAN CABINET ASSEMBLED
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Reference ID |
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Released |
Classification |
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VZCZCXRO3420
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHSB #0162/01 0571453
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 261453Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4101
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 2657
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 2778
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1248
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2046
RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 2402
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 2826
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 5254
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RHMFISS/EUCOM POLAD VAIHINGEN GE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1947
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 HARARE 000162
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR B. WALCH
DRL FOR N. WILETT
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR E. LOKEN AND L. DOBBINS
STATE PASS TO NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
SUBJECT: NEW ZIMBABWEAN CABINET ASSEMBLED
REF: HARARE 130
¶1. (SBU) The newly-constituted Zimbabwean Cabinet is
comprised of 42 members, consisting of six principals (the
president, the prime minister, two vice presidents, and two
deputy prime ministers) and 36 Cabinet-level ministers.
There are an additional five ministers of state who are not
members of Cabinet. Twenty deputy ministerial positions have
also been allocated, with ZANU-PF receiving 10, MDC-T nine,
and MDC-M one. The incarcerated deputy minister of
Agriculture, Roy Bennett, is the only ministerial level
official not yet sworn into office (Ref).
¶2. (SBU) The ministerial nominations represented
approximately a 33 percent expansion from the totals agreed
upon in the Interparty Political Agreement (IPA) signed last
September. The IPA and Amendment 19 stipulated a total of 31
ministers and 15 deputy ministers, while the final tally is
41 ministers and 20 deputy ministers. Most significantly,
the increase in ministers has given ZANU-PF the majority of
votes in Cabinet, although according to the IPA and Amendment
19 all decisions have to be made in consensus.
¶3. (U) The table below groups the two MDC formations
together, includes the six principals, and compares the
allocation of positions in the IPA with the current
situation:
IPA IPA ACTUAL ACTUAL
ZANU-PF MDC ZANU-PF MDC
Principals 3 3 3 3
Cabinet Ministers 15 16 19 17
CABINET TOTAL 18 19 22 20
Non-Cabinet Ministers 0 0 3 2
GRAND TOTAL 18 19 25 22
In comparison, the 2005 Cabinet had 30 ministries and
ministers.
¶4. (SBU) The expansion of the cabinet from the numbers
contemplated by the IPA and stipulated in Amendment 19 was a
decision of the principals–ZANU-PF head Robert Mugabe, and
MDC leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara. Mugabe
was the prime mover as ZANU-PF lost cabinet positions as a
result of the inclusive government, and he tried to find
positions for ZANU-PF loyalists. Nevertheless, Tsvangirai
and Mutambara went along in an effort to find positions for
some of their people as well. Widely and justifiably being
criticized as bloated by political analysts and the
independent press, the Cabinet will require badly needed
resources to pay salaries and buy emoluments of office such
as luxury cars. And potential donors will know a portion of
assistance will be used for unnecessary government officials.
¶5. (U) The following is a list of senior Zimbabwean officials
which indicates their government position, party affiliation,
province of origin and ethnicity. Post will provide greater
analysis of the Cabinet septel.
President, HE Robert Mugabe (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland West
Province, Zvimba District, Shona ethnicity
Vice President, Hon Joseph Msika (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland
Central Province, Mt. Darwin District, Shona ethnicity
QCentral Province, Mt. Darwin District, Shona ethnicity
HARARE 00000162 002 OF 005
Vice President, Hon Joyce Mujuru (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland
Central Province, Mt. Darwin District, Shona ethnicity
Prime Minister, Hon Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC-T), Masvingo
Province, Gutu District, Shona ethnicity
Deputy Pime Minister, Hon Prof. Arthur Mutambara (MDC-M),
Manicaland Province, Chimanimani District, Shona ethnicity
Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Thokozani Khupe (MDC-T), Bulawayo
Province, Ndebele ethnicity
Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation
Development, Hon Joseph Made (ZANU-PF), Manicaland Province,
Makoni District, Shona ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation
Development, Mr. Roy Bennett (not yet swoQ in) (MDC-T),
Manicaland Province, Chimanimani District, Caucasian ethnicity
Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon
Adv. Eric Matinenga (MDC-T), Manicaland Province, Buhera
District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Defense, Hon Emmerson Mnangagwa (ZANU-PF),
Midlands Province, Chirumhanzu District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, Hon
Elton Mangoma (MDC-T), Manicaland Province, Makoni District,
Shona ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Economic Planning and Investment
Promotion, Hon Samuel Undenge (ZANU-PF), Manicaland Province,
Chimanimani District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Education, Sport, Art and Culture, Hon David
Coltart (MDC-M), Bulawayo Province, Caucasian ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Education, Sport, Art and Culture, Hon
Lazarus Dokora (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland Central Province,
Rushinga District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Energy and Power Development, Hon Elias Mudzuri
(MDC-T), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development, Hon Hubert
Nyanhongo (ZANU-PF), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Enterprises and Parastatals, Hon Joel Gabbuza
(MDC-T), Matabeleland North Province, Binga District, Ndebele
ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Enterprises and Parastatals, Hon Walter
Chidhakwa (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland West Province, Zvimba
District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Management, Hon
Francis Nhema (ZANU-PF), Midlands Province, Shurugwi
District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Finance, Hon Tendai Biti (MDC-T), Harare
Province, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Dr. Simbarashe Mumbengegwi
(ZANU-PF), Midlands Province, Shurugwi-Zvishawane District,
Shona ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Moses Mzila Ndlovu
(MDC-M), Matabeleland South Province, Bulilimamangwe
District, Ndebele ethnicity
HARARE 00000162 003 OF 005
Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Hon Dr. Henry
Madzorera, (MDC-T), Midlands Province, Kwekwe District, Shona
ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Hon Douglas
Mombeshora (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland West Province, Makonde
District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Hon. Dr. Stan
Mudenge (ZANU-PF), Midlands Province, Masvingo District,
Shona ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Hon Lutho
Addington Tapela (MDC-M), Matabeleland South Province,
Bulilimamangwe District, Ndebele ethnicity
Minister of Home Affairs (Co-shared), Hon Kembo Mohadi
(ZANU-PF), Matabeleland South Province, Beitbridge, Ndebele
ethnicity; and Hon Giles Mutsekwa (MDC-T), Manicaland
Province, Mutare District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Housing and Social Amenities, Hon Fidelis Mhashu
(MDC-T), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Information Communication Technology, Hon Nelson
Chamisa (MDC-T), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon Prof. Welshman Ncube,
(MDC-M), Bulawayo Province, Ndebele ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon Mike Bimha
(ZANU-PF), Shona ethnicity
Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Hon Patrick Chinamasa
(ZANU-PF), Manicaland Province, Makoni District, Shona
ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Hon Jessie
Majome (MDC-T), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Labour, Hon Paurina Gwanyanya (MDC-T), Shona
ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Labour, Hon Tracy Mutinhiri (ZANU-PF),
Mashonaland East Province, Marondera District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Hon Dr Herbert
Murerwa (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland East Province, Goromonzi
District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Local Government, Urban and Rural Development,
Hon Ignatius Chombo (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland West Province,
Zvimba District, Shona ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Local Government, Urban and Rural
Development, Mr. Cecil Zvidzai (MDC-T), Midlands Province,
Gweru District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, Hon Webster
Shamu (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland West Province, Chegutu District,
Shona ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, Hon
Jameson Timba (MDC-T), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon Obert Mpofu
(ZANU-PF), Matabeleland North Province, Umguza District,
Ndebele ethnicity
HARARE 00000162 004 OF 005
Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon Murisi
Zwizwai (MDC-T), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Public Service, Hon Prof Eliphas Mukonoweshuro
(MDC-T), Masvingo Province, Gutu District, Shona ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Public Service, Hon Andrew Langa
(ZANU-PF), Matabeleland South Province, Insiza District,
Ndebele ethnicity
Minister of Public Works, Hon Theresa Makone (MDC-T), Harare
Province, Shona ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Public Works, Mr. Aguy Georgias (ZANU-PF),
Shona ethnicity
Minister of Regional Integration and International
Co-operation, Hon Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (MDC-M),
Harare Province, Shona/Ndebele ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Regional Integration and International
Co-operation, Hon Reuben Marumahoko (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland
West Province, Hurungwe District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Science and Technology, Hon Prof Heneri
Dzinotyiwei (MDC-T), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative
Development, Hon Sithembiso Nyoni (ZANU-PF), Matabeleland
North Province, Nkayi District, Ndebele ethnicity
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon Walter
Mzembi (ZANU-PF), Masvingo Province, Masingo District, Shona
ethnicity
Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon
Nicholas Goche (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland Central Province,
Shamva District, Shona ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development,
Dr. Tichaona Mudzingwa (MDC-T), Manicaland Province, Buhera
District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of Water Resources, Hon Samuel Sipepa Nkomo (MDC-T),
Ndebele ethnicity
Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community
Development, Dr. Olivia Muchena (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland East
Province, Mutoko District, Shona ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community
Development, Hon Evelyn Masaiti (MDC-T), Harare Province,
Shona ethnicity
Minister of Youth Development, Indigenization and
Empowerment, Hon Saviour Kasukuwere (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland
Central Province, Mt. Darwin District, Shona ethnicity
Deputy Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and
Empowerment, Hon Thamsanqa Mahlangu (MDC-T), Bulawayo
Province, Ndebele ethnicity
Minister of State in the President’s office, Hon John Nkomo
(ZANU-PF), Matabeleland North Province, Tsholotsho District,
Ndebele ethnicity
Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Hon Didymus
Mutasa (ZANU-PF), Manicaland Province, Makoni North District,
Shona ethnicity
HARARE 00000162 005 OF 005
Minister of State for National Security in the President’s
office, Hon Dr. Sydney Sekeramayi (ZANU-PF), Marondera East
District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of State in Vice President Msika’s office, Hon Flora
Bhuka (ZANU-PF), Gokwe District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of State in Vice President Mujuru’s office, Hon
Sylvester Nguni (ZANU-PF), Mhondoro District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office, Hon Gordon
Moyo (MDC-T) Bulawayo District, Ndebele ethnicity
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office, Hon Sekai
Holland (MDC-T), Chizhanje District, Shona ethnicity
Minister of State in Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara’s
office, Mr. Gibson Sibanda (MDC-M), Nkulumane District,
Ndebele ethnicity
END LIST OF SENIOR ZIMBABWEAN OFFICIALS
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