News / National
Mnangagwa picks new minister after constitution breach
14 Sep 2023 at 05:40hrs | Views
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been compelled to retract the appointments of two ministers due to exceeding the maximum number of non-constituency MPs he can nominate to his Cabinet.
The leader of Zanu PF had initially designated nine ministers who had not secured parliamentary seats, yet the constitution permits only seven such appointments, allowing the president to bring in individuals from outside parliament based on their professional skills and competence.
Mnangagwa has now rescinded the appointments of Nokuthula Matsikenyeri, who had been slated as the Manicaland minister, and John Paradza, who was chosen as deputy minister of environment.
Misheck Mugadza, a distinguished Manicaland lawyer and Mutasa South MP, has been selected to replace Matsikenyeri.
Paradza, currently Zanu PF's candidate in the Gutu West by-election, may still assume his position if he emerges victorious.
The remaining non-constituency MPs appointed to the cabinet include Mthuli Ncube (finance), Mangaliso Ndlovu (environment), Kirsty Coventry (sport), Ziyambi Ziyambi (justice), Anxious Masuka (lands), Amon Murwira (higher education), and Oppah Muchinguri (defense).
It's worth noting that this isn't the first instance of Mnangagwa exceeding the limit for non-constituency MPs in his cabinet. In September 2018, he nominated six non-constituency MPs, one more than the constitution allowed at the time, until a constitutional amendment later increased the limit to seven. Subsequently, Zanu PF instructed Matabeleland North senator Obert Mpofu to vacate his seat to accommodate Cain Mathema, one of the initial six appointees.
The leader of Zanu PF had initially designated nine ministers who had not secured parliamentary seats, yet the constitution permits only seven such appointments, allowing the president to bring in individuals from outside parliament based on their professional skills and competence.
Mnangagwa has now rescinded the appointments of Nokuthula Matsikenyeri, who had been slated as the Manicaland minister, and John Paradza, who was chosen as deputy minister of environment.
Paradza, currently Zanu PF's candidate in the Gutu West by-election, may still assume his position if he emerges victorious.
The remaining non-constituency MPs appointed to the cabinet include Mthuli Ncube (finance), Mangaliso Ndlovu (environment), Kirsty Coventry (sport), Ziyambi Ziyambi (justice), Anxious Masuka (lands), Amon Murwira (higher education), and Oppah Muchinguri (defense).
It's worth noting that this isn't the first instance of Mnangagwa exceeding the limit for non-constituency MPs in his cabinet. In September 2018, he nominated six non-constituency MPs, one more than the constitution allowed at the time, until a constitutional amendment later increased the limit to seven. Subsequently, Zanu PF instructed Matabeleland North senator Obert Mpofu to vacate his seat to accommodate Cain Mathema, one of the initial six appointees.
Source - zimlive
