Mnangagwa in surprise appointments

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday announced sweeping changes to the civil service, appointing new permanent secretaries while reassigning long-serving officials in what observers see as a move to strengthen his administrative team.

The appointments, made public by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya, include fresh faces drawn from academia, diplomacy, health, and the arts, alongside seasoned government technocrats moved into new portfolios.

Development assistance expert Thomas Utete Wushe was named permanent secretary for Industry and Commerce, replacing Mavis Sibanda, who was reassigned to the Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development ministry.

In a major change in the health sector, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals chief medical officer Aspect Maunganidze took over as Health and Child Care permanent secretary, succeeding Jasper Chimedza, who was removed.

The cultural sector also saw a shake-up, with National Arts Council of Zimbabwe executive director Nicholas Moyo appointed permanent secretary for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, replacing Thokozile Chitepo. Moses Mhike was elevated to permanent secretary in the Primary and Secondary Education ministry following Tumisang Thabela's retirement.

Former diplomat Rudo Chitiga, who served as Zimbabwe's ambassador to France, Portugal, and Spain and held senior advisory roles at the United Nations, was appointed permanent secretary for Skills Audit and Development. Prosper Matondi, previously chief director for environment, climate and meteorological services, took over as Environment, Climate and Wildlife permanent secretary.

Tourism and Hospitality was handed to Takaruza Munyanyiwa, a former University of Zimbabwe pro-vice chancellor, while Solomon Mhlanga became permanent secretary for Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, moving from the public sector reforms portfolio.

Clive Mphambela, former spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, was appointed permanent secretary for Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs.

In one of the most notable reassignments, John Basera was moved from Agriculture to become permanent secretary for Local Government and Public Works. He was replaced at Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development by academic Obert Jiri, promoted from director.

Former Law Society of Zimbabwe president Vimbai Nyemba became permanent secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, taking over from Virginia Mabhiza, who was recently elevated to Attorney-General.

Some seasoned bureaucrats retained their positions, including Gloria Magombo at Energy and Power Development, Ndavaningi Mangwana at Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, and George Guvamatanga at the newly renamed Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion ministry.

At provincial level, Harare Metropolitan permanent secretary Tafadzwa Muguti was reassigned to the Office of the President as secretary for Presidential Affairs. He was replaced by Cosmas Chiringa, a former Mutare district development co-ordinator.

Within the President's Office, Mnangagwa's longtime ally George Charamba remained Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications. Other deputy chief secretaries are Zvinechimwe Churu (Finance, Administration and Human Resources), Willard Manungo (Policy Analysis, Co-ordination and Development Planning), Paul Damasane (Social Services), and Amos Marawa (National Programmes and Projects Co-ordination).

The reshuffle reflects Mnangagwa's attempt to blend technocratic expertise with political loyalty as his administration gears up for the next phase of its governance agenda.