Mugabe swears in Moyo, in-place of Bennett

MDC-T has given up on its insistence that party treasurer Roy Bennett be sworn in as deputy agriculture minister with  President Mugabe yesterday swearing in Mr Seiso Moyo in his stead, The Herald reported on Monday.

Trade unionist Ms Lucia Matibenga was sworn in as Public Service Minister, replacing the late Professor Eliphas Mukonoweshuro.

Ms Matibenga is the legislator for Kuwadzana, while Mr Moyo represents Nketa.

The swearing in of Mr Moyo was a major climbdown by MDC-T that had, since the formation of the inclusive Government, insisted that President Mugabe should swear in Richard Bennett as Deputy Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister.

Bennett was touted as a major outstanding GPA issue by MDC-T and at one point party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai threatened that MDC-T would not recognise other members of the executive and civil service if Bennett was not sworn in.

But President Mugabe stuck to his guns, vowing Bennett was not suitable for Government and advised MDC-T to find a replacement.

According to state controlled "The Herald", Bennett is in South Africa and has vowed not to return to Zimbabwe unless there is a change of Government.

Though he has absented himself from Parliament for over 21 days, Bennett remains a senator.

Clerk of Parliament Mr Austin Zvoma said: "He is still a senator. Though he has more than exceeded the 21 days (in absenteeism), it is not automatic that he loses his seat. There must be a resignation letter or a motion has to be moved and adopted. None of those things have happened."

Vice Presidents Joice Mujuru and John Nkomo, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Minister Made were among senior Government officials who witnessed the swearing in of Minister Matibenga and Deputy Minister Moyo.

"Obviously, I feel greatly honoured to have been appointed to serve my country in another office," a jovial Minister Matibenga said.

She added: "I realise the mammoth task that lies ahead. I assure you, I will be there whether it will be tough or easy."

Minister Matibenga singled out the issue of civil servants salaries as one of the major challenges needing urgent attention.

Minister Matibenga was a trade unionist prior to her appointment and held the position of third vice president in ZCTU.

"It is always a pleasure to be appointed to a position of responsibility. I feel greatly honoured," Moyo said.

He would not state what his priorities will be.

"I have just been appointed. We have not sat down as a ministry. I am going to join a team and it is always good to start from that premise. Right now it is the rainy season and the main focus would be around agriculture inputs. That is the kind of priority the ministry has," Deputy Minister Moyo said.