News / National
Mugabe's cabinet reshuffle exposes Zanu-PF leadership crisis
19 Sep 2015 at 14:51hrs | Views
President Robert Mugabe's Cabinet reshuffle last Friday, the third in nine months, brought in a combination of tired oldies and relatively unknown quantities in what has been described, by many, as evidence of a crisis within the strife-torn governing party, ZANU-PF.
The storm has stubbornly refused to die in both ZANU-PF and government, almost a year after the party expelled a number of senior officials for alleged treason, which naturally necessitated a purging in government.
The three Cabinet reshuffles inside just nine months, translating into a shocking Cabinet reshuffle after every three months, is clear testimony that President Mugabe, eager to revive a crumbling economy and manage blowing internal party politics, wants to steady the ship facing raging torrents and angry waves.
But if the chief reason behind these now incessant reshuffles is economic recovery, then something is terribly amiss given that observers say the restructuring of Cabinet borders on extreme duplication of duties, recycling of deadwood and appointment of previously untested party cadres.
There is also growing concern over the creation of new ministries and appointment of more junior ministers - all of whom, being entitled to brand new luxury vehicles, State aides and benefits - which do not come cheap at all.
Critics queried the increase in the number of ministers to superintend dubious portfolios that could easily be merged into just one ministry and the "unnecessary" appointment of deputy ministers who practically have nothing to do, but to simply enjoy the hefty perks that go along with appointment into high office.
The last two reshuffles saw government venture on a spending spree on fast and luxurious cars at a time when the nearly bankrupt administration was struggling to bankroll a string of critical services, including funding the deteriorating health care system and paying an increasingly restive and bloated civil service that is gobbling more than 80 percent of government budget.
This has led critics to question if the near bankrupt administration could afford this serious extravagance, especially given that it is currently in sixes and sevens as to where it would source money to avert settling hunger after a failed summer cropping season which meant millions of citizens are already in need of food aid.
Many are asking questions about the wisdom of creating so many ministries whose roles encroach into those that already exist. What, for instance, does this ministry of Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, to which Obert Mpofu was shuttled into, do which is not done in the Finance Ministry?
What macro-economic plans are outside the routine fiscal or monetary policy plans?
Adding further confusion is the creation of almost a similar ministry but cleverly reworded: Ministry of Policy Coordination and Promotion of Socio-Economic Ventures in the President's Office headed by Simon Khaya-Moyo, who was reassigned while away in China, reportedly on business related to his former ministry.
But are these not the same jobs that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development is supposed to be doing? And even more interesting still, the Ministry Without Portfolio, was resuscitated and is now being occupied by Makhosini Hlongwane, who wore broad smiles to show his excitement throughout the swearing in ceremony.
Curious writers quickly inquired about the roles of Hlongwane's portfolio and heard someone who claimed to be knowledgeable say that its roles are to coordinate government business. Isn't Khaya-Moyo's ministry also about coordination?
And then, we had a very outlandish ministry added: The Ministry of Rural Development and Preservation of National Cultural Heritage. Abednego Ncube was appointed to this portfolio.
It was this particular ministry which got the hordes of journalists present at State House roaring with laughter when it was announced.
One journalist fuelled the laughter after suggesting that Ncube's ministry was specifically created to facilitate the return of skulls of decapitated heroes of the first Chimurenga of the nineteenth century.
In his keynote address to mark Heroes Day in August, President Mugabe said government would soon dispatch a team to Britain to collect the skulls of heroes of that war that are widely believed to have been shipped there as war trophies.
The unusual titles of ministries led one journalist to joke that he was very disappointed because his expectation of the creation of a Ministry of Dangote Affairs did not materialise.
He was referring to Nigerian Tycoon, Aliko Dangote who visited the country two weeks ago to explore investment opportunities, attracting unprecedented government interest.
What further raised questions was the calibre of persons appointed to different portfolios, which led to analysts conclude that President Mugabe no longer has the many options he used to enjoy ever since things began falling apart in ZANU-PF.
Save for a few notable faces, the rest can hardly pass a pedigree test.
What, aside from patronage, can explain the appointment of fellows like Obedingwa Mguni, who has remained a figurehead in Parliament where he spends more time dozing than contributing to proceedings; or what justifies the appointment of political novices like Christopher Chingosho, who is only weeks old in Parliament.
Political analysts this week dismissed the appointments saying the nation should not expect anything to come from this reshuffle.
"For me these appointments are more of political patronage extending its boundaries where comrades are being invited to the feeding trough," said political commentator, Rashweat Mukundu and added: "We should not expect any miracles from any of the newly appointed ministers."
Political scientist, Eldred Masunungure, said the reshuffle had more to do with power dynamics in ZANU-PF than the country.
"If you examine the appointments closely, you will realise that they have more to do with the issue of factions in ZANU-PF than they are meant to help the country. Controlling factionalism seems to be the motive behind the reshuffle," he said.
Masunungure was also quoted in a local daily, speaking a day after the new ministers took oath of office, saying: "This is not a development Cabinet but a political gathering that wants to consolidate power at all costs, even if it means rendering ordinary people to poverty. ZANU-PF has proven it can do so."
The paper also quoted Ibbo Mandaza, an academic and political analyst exclaiming "Oh…, poor Zimbabweans, 14 new ministers…., eish my God!"
And as if to confirm suspicions that this reshuffle was all about political power, influential columnist, Nathaniel Manheru, writing in the Saturday Herald had this to say:
"Already, yesterday's (last Friday's) appointments suggest a planner putting his ducks in a row. Read carefully what the appointments do to Midlands and Mashonaland East and you get a good clue."
Half of the 14 new ministers come from the two provinces, with Midlands, home to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, contributing five.
"We are doing the opposite of what we are supposed to be doing," said Prosper Chitambara, an economist with the Labour and Economic Research Institute of Zimbabwe.
"We are expanding government when we are supposed to be rationalising our expenditure," he said.
Chitambara said the country's population was small, but the President had not consider this when he expanded his Cabinet.
As a result, significant funding would be committed to taking care of ministers at the expense of funding critical operations such as health care and food production.
Government has been unpopular for its high spending habits, splashing millions to purchase top of the range cars and other expensive things to please ministers.
Reports said in April that government had spent at least US$1,4 million on Cabinet ministers' cars, highlighting the extravagance and insensitivity of the executive, which has been battling to fund social services.
In 2013, government spent about US$20 million on vehicles for 26 Cabinet ministers and 13 deputies who came into office after the July 31 polls that year.
Chitambara said such expenditures, if directed towards important projects, would help the country.
But the fact that the new appointments failed to reignite confidence in the country had been clearly exhibited at the beginning of the week, when the key Industrial Index continued with its downward trend two days after the new appointments.
It shed 0,03 percent to 134,08 points from 134,08 points on Friday last week, demonstrating how the announcement had failed to calm the nerves of investors.
Masunungure said some of the ministers had no capacity to tackle the crisis.
Former transport minister, Mpofu, was switched to the Ministry of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion. Christopher Mushowe, a former minister of transport who later moved to the Manicaland as provincial affairs minister, is now heading the Ministry of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services.
Patrick Zhuwao was previously deputy minister of science and technology development before becoming the Youth Minister.
"Don't expect anything in terms of economic development from such a Cabinet," said Masunungure. "If you look at the new ministries created and the calibre of people appointed to other portfolios, you don't see anyone with an idea of how to grow the economy."
The storm has stubbornly refused to die in both ZANU-PF and government, almost a year after the party expelled a number of senior officials for alleged treason, which naturally necessitated a purging in government.
The three Cabinet reshuffles inside just nine months, translating into a shocking Cabinet reshuffle after every three months, is clear testimony that President Mugabe, eager to revive a crumbling economy and manage blowing internal party politics, wants to steady the ship facing raging torrents and angry waves.
But if the chief reason behind these now incessant reshuffles is economic recovery, then something is terribly amiss given that observers say the restructuring of Cabinet borders on extreme duplication of duties, recycling of deadwood and appointment of previously untested party cadres.
There is also growing concern over the creation of new ministries and appointment of more junior ministers - all of whom, being entitled to brand new luxury vehicles, State aides and benefits - which do not come cheap at all.
Critics queried the increase in the number of ministers to superintend dubious portfolios that could easily be merged into just one ministry and the "unnecessary" appointment of deputy ministers who practically have nothing to do, but to simply enjoy the hefty perks that go along with appointment into high office.
The last two reshuffles saw government venture on a spending spree on fast and luxurious cars at a time when the nearly bankrupt administration was struggling to bankroll a string of critical services, including funding the deteriorating health care system and paying an increasingly restive and bloated civil service that is gobbling more than 80 percent of government budget.
This has led critics to question if the near bankrupt administration could afford this serious extravagance, especially given that it is currently in sixes and sevens as to where it would source money to avert settling hunger after a failed summer cropping season which meant millions of citizens are already in need of food aid.
Many are asking questions about the wisdom of creating so many ministries whose roles encroach into those that already exist. What, for instance, does this ministry of Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, to which Obert Mpofu was shuttled into, do which is not done in the Finance Ministry?
What macro-economic plans are outside the routine fiscal or monetary policy plans?
Adding further confusion is the creation of almost a similar ministry but cleverly reworded: Ministry of Policy Coordination and Promotion of Socio-Economic Ventures in the President's Office headed by Simon Khaya-Moyo, who was reassigned while away in China, reportedly on business related to his former ministry.
But are these not the same jobs that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development is supposed to be doing? And even more interesting still, the Ministry Without Portfolio, was resuscitated and is now being occupied by Makhosini Hlongwane, who wore broad smiles to show his excitement throughout the swearing in ceremony.
Curious writers quickly inquired about the roles of Hlongwane's portfolio and heard someone who claimed to be knowledgeable say that its roles are to coordinate government business. Isn't Khaya-Moyo's ministry also about coordination?
And then, we had a very outlandish ministry added: The Ministry of Rural Development and Preservation of National Cultural Heritage. Abednego Ncube was appointed to this portfolio.
It was this particular ministry which got the hordes of journalists present at State House roaring with laughter when it was announced.
One journalist fuelled the laughter after suggesting that Ncube's ministry was specifically created to facilitate the return of skulls of decapitated heroes of the first Chimurenga of the nineteenth century.
In his keynote address to mark Heroes Day in August, President Mugabe said government would soon dispatch a team to Britain to collect the skulls of heroes of that war that are widely believed to have been shipped there as war trophies.
The unusual titles of ministries led one journalist to joke that he was very disappointed because his expectation of the creation of a Ministry of Dangote Affairs did not materialise.
He was referring to Nigerian Tycoon, Aliko Dangote who visited the country two weeks ago to explore investment opportunities, attracting unprecedented government interest.
What further raised questions was the calibre of persons appointed to different portfolios, which led to analysts conclude that President Mugabe no longer has the many options he used to enjoy ever since things began falling apart in ZANU-PF.
Save for a few notable faces, the rest can hardly pass a pedigree test.
What, aside from patronage, can explain the appointment of fellows like Obedingwa Mguni, who has remained a figurehead in Parliament where he spends more time dozing than contributing to proceedings; or what justifies the appointment of political novices like Christopher Chingosho, who is only weeks old in Parliament.
Political analysts this week dismissed the appointments saying the nation should not expect anything to come from this reshuffle.
"For me these appointments are more of political patronage extending its boundaries where comrades are being invited to the feeding trough," said political commentator, Rashweat Mukundu and added: "We should not expect any miracles from any of the newly appointed ministers."
Political scientist, Eldred Masunungure, said the reshuffle had more to do with power dynamics in ZANU-PF than the country.
"If you examine the appointments closely, you will realise that they have more to do with the issue of factions in ZANU-PF than they are meant to help the country. Controlling factionalism seems to be the motive behind the reshuffle," he said.
Masunungure was also quoted in a local daily, speaking a day after the new ministers took oath of office, saying: "This is not a development Cabinet but a political gathering that wants to consolidate power at all costs, even if it means rendering ordinary people to poverty. ZANU-PF has proven it can do so."
The paper also quoted Ibbo Mandaza, an academic and political analyst exclaiming "Oh…, poor Zimbabweans, 14 new ministers…., eish my God!"
And as if to confirm suspicions that this reshuffle was all about political power, influential columnist, Nathaniel Manheru, writing in the Saturday Herald had this to say:
"Already, yesterday's (last Friday's) appointments suggest a planner putting his ducks in a row. Read carefully what the appointments do to Midlands and Mashonaland East and you get a good clue."
Half of the 14 new ministers come from the two provinces, with Midlands, home to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, contributing five.
"We are doing the opposite of what we are supposed to be doing," said Prosper Chitambara, an economist with the Labour and Economic Research Institute of Zimbabwe.
"We are expanding government when we are supposed to be rationalising our expenditure," he said.
Chitambara said the country's population was small, but the President had not consider this when he expanded his Cabinet.
As a result, significant funding would be committed to taking care of ministers at the expense of funding critical operations such as health care and food production.
Government has been unpopular for its high spending habits, splashing millions to purchase top of the range cars and other expensive things to please ministers.
Reports said in April that government had spent at least US$1,4 million on Cabinet ministers' cars, highlighting the extravagance and insensitivity of the executive, which has been battling to fund social services.
In 2013, government spent about US$20 million on vehicles for 26 Cabinet ministers and 13 deputies who came into office after the July 31 polls that year.
Chitambara said such expenditures, if directed towards important projects, would help the country.
But the fact that the new appointments failed to reignite confidence in the country had been clearly exhibited at the beginning of the week, when the key Industrial Index continued with its downward trend two days after the new appointments.
It shed 0,03 percent to 134,08 points from 134,08 points on Friday last week, demonstrating how the announcement had failed to calm the nerves of investors.
Masunungure said some of the ministers had no capacity to tackle the crisis.
Former transport minister, Mpofu, was switched to the Ministry of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion. Christopher Mushowe, a former minister of transport who later moved to the Manicaland as provincial affairs minister, is now heading the Ministry of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services.
Patrick Zhuwao was previously deputy minister of science and technology development before becoming the Youth Minister.
"Don't expect anything in terms of economic development from such a Cabinet," said Masunungure. "If you look at the new ministries created and the calibre of people appointed to other portfolios, you don't see anyone with an idea of how to grow the economy."
Source - Financial Gazette
