Mugabe to decide the fate of serving diplomats

President Robert Mugabe is expected to decide the fate of serving diplomats by the end of the month when their extended term expires.

Mugabe appoints ambassadors to represent him abroad in his capacity as the head of State and government.

Ambassadors serve four-year terms that can be renewed depending on foreign policy considerations.

Foreign Affairs deputy minister Christopher Mutsvangwa told Parliament last week that diplomats served at the pleasure of Mugabe.

Mutsvangwa was responding to a question in the Senate from Chief Chisunga who had asked him to explain government policy on the deployment of diplomats.

Mutsvangwa said during the era of the inclusive government it presented "peculiar circumstances" which saw diplomats serving longer than the allocated three to four years.