'My appointment a surprise,' says Mnangagwa

Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa says with political issues and the congress now behind, the ruling Zanu-PF party and government are now faced with the challenge of putting food on the table and uplifting the standards of living of the ordinary people.

In an interview, Mnangagwa said his nomination by President Robert Mugabe came as a surprise because there were many other deserving candidates who could have qualified for the post.

Mnangagwa, who took an oath of office last Friday together the country's other Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, other newly appointed government ministers and deputy ministers, said the country has been through an economic rough patch because of the illegal sanctions but Zimbabweans have proved to be a resilient people.

He said the government's economic development programme, ZIMASSET provides the answer to various economic challenges bedevilling the country.

He added that the major task on the political front is that of mobilising and winning the urban voters who in the last election remained under the influence of the opposition.

The newly elevated Vice President has served the Zimbabwe government in various capacities since independence and was the Minister of Justice and Legal and Parliamentary Affairs before ascending to the vice presidency.

He continues to hold the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs portfolio.