Mnangagwa is only Government official from the 1980 Cabinet 

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.