Mnangagwa reshuffles senior govt officials

Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed and reassigned several senior government officials in changes announced by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya.

In a statement, Dr Rushwaya said Tsitsi Zhou had been appointed Deputy Minister of Lands and Rural Development in terms of Section 104(2) of the Constitution. The appointment took effect on May 1, 2026.

Ms Zhou is currently a Member of Parliament representing the Midlands women's quota.

The President also appointed Prosper Bvumiranayi Matondi as Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands and Rural Development.

Shingirayi Mushamba was appointed Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, replacing national hero Cosmas Chiringa, who died in March this year.

Dr Rushwaya further announced a series of permanent secretary reassignments across the Public Service.

Former Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Permanent Secretary Simon Masanga was reassigned to the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife.

Thomas Utete Wushe moved from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to become Permanent Secretary for Mines and Mining Development.

Obert Jiri was reassigned as Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development following the recent split of the former Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development ministry into two separate ministries.

Meanwhile, Tadeous Chifamba was reassigned as Permanent Secretary for Industry and Commerce after serving in the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife.

Former Mines and Mining Development Permanent Secretary Pfungwa Kunaka was moved to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

All the appointments and reassignments took effect on May 1, 2026.