Mutsvangwa’s removal from cabinet: a tale of defiance and fallout

Christopher Mutsvangwa's abrupt dismissal as the war veterans minister last Saturday has stirred speculation and raised questions about the dynamics within Zimbabwe's political circles.

HARARE – Christopher Mutsvangwa’s abrupt dismissal as the war veterans minister last Saturday has stirred speculation and raised questions about the dynamics within Zimbabwe’s political circles.

Sources close to the matter suggest that Mtsvangwa‘s removal stemmed from his alleged insubordination and audacious demands.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s decision to oust Mutsvangwa, who also serves as the chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), reportedly came after repeated clashes over Mutsvangwa’s dual roles.

“When appointing Mtsvangwa last September, Mnangagwa reportedly told him to relinquish his other position as chairman of the ZNLWVA ‘but for whatever reason he would not give up that position,'” revealed a government source.

Mutsvangwa’s refusal to comply with Mnangagwa’s directive and his persistence in holding both ministerial and organizational roles led to a breaking point.

President Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pomona Waste to Energy flagship project for Harare on 6th November 2023.
FILE: President Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pomona Waste to Energy flagship project for Harare on 6th November 2023.

According to insiders, Mtsvangwa’s audacity reached new heights when he purportedly proposed to Mnangagwa that he should be appointed as the state security minister as a compromise to retain his position within the war veterans.

“Mnangagwa was reportedly ‘furious’ as he felt that Mtsvangwa was ‘appointing himself,'” said another source familiar with the events.

The president, feeling undermined and confronted with what he perceived as Mtsvangwa’s power play, consulted with his deputies Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, resulting in a unanimous decision to remove Mutsvangwa from his ministerial post.

While Mtsvangwa’s removal has sparked widespread speculation, with some suggesting his clashes with information minister Jenfan Muswere and alleged involvement in murky deals with Chinese investors as contributing factors, the underlying issue appears to be rooted in his refusal to abide by presidential directives.

Mutsvangwa’s dismissal underscores the complexities and power struggles within Mnangagwa’s administration, shedding light on the delicate balance of authority and loyalty within Zimbabwe’s political landscape.

As the nation grapples with the aftermath of Mutsvangwa’s removal, questions linger about the implications for both the ruling party and the broader political landscape in Zimbabwe.

RosGwen24 News
RosGwen24 News
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