Chris Mutsvagwa, seen as key figure in the 2017 military-assisted transition that toppled Zimbabwe’s long serving ruler Robert Mugabe, rolled up his sleeves on the United Kingdom (UK) government on his first day as the Zanu PF’s Information and Publicity secretary on Wednesday.
Mutsvangwa was elevated to the role to take over from the SK Moyo who succumbed to cancer in November at a Bulawayo hospital after a long battle with the disease.
Speaking after a Zanu PF Politburo reshuffle made by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mutsvangwa tore into what the party has termed an undesired focus and debate in the British House of Lords on Zimbabwe.
“To hear some hooligan in the house of Commons from Britain talking nonsense over a sovereign state like Zimbabwe is such a pity….It’s a shame for them actually, after four decades they still want to talk as if they hold power over us, in fact Britain is now a third world power which holds no voice in the international system,” Mutsvangwa said.
He spoke after his principle, Mnangagwa on Tuesday said that the ruling party had received information to the effect that “the British government has been meeting with various trade unions including those for teachers most recently in September 2021 in Harare” which “is yet another confirmation of very gross and unwarranted and blatant interference in the domestic affairs of our country by the British government.”
Meanwhile, turning to his new role, Mutsvangwa said “the Information and Publicity field is not new to me, I used to be part of ZBC back in the days with some of our senior media personnel here present, the likes of Cde Rueben Barwe and others behind the cameras, all I can say is that I feel happy to be back home.”
The Zanu PF Poliburo reshuffle also saw Fredrick Shava apppointed as a Zanu PF Politburo Member as a Committee Member. Omega Hungwe and Oliver Chidawu were appointed Zanu PF Politburo members with immediate effect, coming from Harare Province
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa was appointed the Secretary for Environment and Tourism. She was previously the Deputy and now replaces Prisca Mupfumira.
Ziyambi Ziyambi replaces Mutsvangwa as Secretary for Science and Technology. Josiah Hungwe who was secretary for Production and Labour now becomes a senior member of the Zanu PF Politburo, and he is replaced by Kenneth Musanhi as the Secretary for Production and Labour.
Judith Ncube appointed as a Politburo member representing Bulawayo Province. Mike Bimha has been appointed the National Political Commissar.
