CLAIM: ‘The only surviving government official from the post-independence Zimbabwe’s first ever cabinet in 1980, Mnangagwa….’
SOURCE: ZimLive
VERDICT: True
On July 4, 2024, ZimLive, a local online media house, in a story published under the headline: ‘Mnangagwa says will not extend his term beyond 2028,’ claims that the incumbent is the only remaining government official from the post-independence Zimbabwe’s first ever cabinet in 1980.
The Washington Post reported on 11 March 1980 that then ZANU PF leader, Robert Mugabe had appointed a 22 member cabinet. This included the deputy prime minister, Simon Muzenda, who also held the Foreign Affairs ministerial position.
Emmerson Mnangagwa was appointed Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office.
The cabinet was made up of ministers appointed from three political parties – ZANU PF, PF ZAPU and the Rhodesian Front.
Four posts went to Joshua Nkomo’s party, two went to whites, while all the other heads of ministries were members of Mugabe’s party.
Two deputy ministers were PF ZAPU and the other 11 Mugabe’s.
David Smith, longtime finance minister under the governments of Ian Smith and Abel Muzorewa, was named minister of commerce and industry, while Dennis Norman, head of the white Commercial Farmers’ Union, was given the post of agriculture minister.
Of the 22 ministers, only one was female – Joice Mujuru.
According to historical records, the following were part of Zimbabwe’s first-ever cabinet appointed by then Prime Minister Robert Mugabe in 1980:
Ministers
Simon Muzenda – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Joshua Nkomo – Minister of Home Affairs
Enos Nkala – Minister of Finance
David Smith – Minister of Commerce and Industry
Joice Mujuru – Minister of Youth, Sport and Recreation
Simbi Mubako – Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Nathan Shamuyarira – Minister of Information and Tourism
Eddison Zvobgo – Minister of Local Government and Housing
Benard Chidzero – Minister of Economic Planning and Development
Denis Norman – Minister of Agriculture
George Silundika – Minister of Roads and Road Traffic, Posts and Telecommunications
Herbert Ushewokunze – Minister of Health
Edgar Tekere – Minister of Manpower Planning and Development
Maurice Nyagumbo – Minister of Mines
Dzingai Mutumbuka – Minister of Education and Culture
Emmerson Mnangagwa – Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office
Kumbirai Kangai – Minister of Labour and Social Welfare
Joseph Msika – Minister of Natural Resources and Water Development
Clement Muchachi – Minister of Public Works
Sydney Sekeramayi – Minister of Lands, Resettlement, and Rural Development
Ernest Kadungure – Minister of Transport and Power
Richard Hove – Minister of Public Service
Deputy Ministers
Godfrey Chidyausiku – Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing
Moven Mahachi – Deputy Minister of Lands, Resettlement and Rural Development
Witness Mangwende – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Victoria Chitepo – Deputy Minister of Education and Culture
Simon Mazorodze – Deputy Minister of Health
Cephas Msipa – Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport and Recreation
Frank Ziyambi – Deputy Minister of Home Affairs
Oliver Munyaradzi – Deputy Minister of Finance
Jini Ntuta – Deputy Minister of Mines
Simba Makoni – Deputy Minister of Agriculture
Naomi Nhiwatiwa – Deputy Minister of Posts and Telecommunications
Robson Manyika – Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare
Moses Mvenge – Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry
President Mnangagwa has remained in cabinet since then except for the period he served as Speaker of Parliament from 2000 – 2005 and when he was fired as Vice President.
Conclusion
The claim, ‘The only surviving government official from the post-independence Zimbabwe’s first ever cabinet in 1980, Mnangagwa….’ has been rated as true in that none of the 1980 cabinet members are still in government save for President Mnangagwa.
