Mnangagwa 'nepotism' angers Zimbabweans

Nick Mangwana, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Information, faced a backlash on social media after defending President Emmerson Mnangagwa's recent Cabinet appointments, which many criticized as nepotism.

Mnangagwa appointed his son, Kudakwashe David Mnangagwa, as Deputy Minister of Finance, and other family members were given lofty posts as well. Mangwana took to social media to argue that these appointments were based on academic and professional qualifications, not nepotism.

However, this statement led to a barrage of negative comments from social media users who expressed their discontent with the perceived nepotism and cronyism in Mnangagwa's administration. Many believed that these appointments signaled a departure from the hope citizens had when Mnangagwa assumed power in 2017.

The comments criticized nepotism, fraud, and corruption risks associated with such appointments and suggested that Mnangagwa's administration was creating a political dynasty. People also argued that qualifications alone should not justify such appointments, and that Zimbabwe should not be treated as a private company or family dynasty.

Mangwana's attempt to defend the appointments generated significant backlash, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with the perceived nepotism in the government.