PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Lovemore Matuke Minister of State for National Security.
The appointment is with immediate effect, according to a statement released by chief secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya last night.
Before yesterday’s appointment, Matuke, who is Zanu PF party secretary for security, was Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet.
He is one of the top Zanu PF officials pushing for the extension of Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond the constitutionally-mandated two terms that end in 2028.
Government has been running without a minister responsible for National Security since the sacking of then minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube in 2022 “for conduct inappropriate for a minister of government”.
Ncube is also a close Mnangagwa ally.
The ministry was overlooked when Mnangagwa assembled a new Cabinet following last year’s disputed elections.
Opposition lawmaker Agency Gumbo last week told Parliament that Mnangagwa was in violation of section 225 of the Constitution by failing to appoint a minister in charge of national security.
- Kasukuwere dares Mnangagwa
- Corruption Watch: Get scared, 2023 is coming
- Kasukuwere dares Mnangagwa
- Corruption Watch: Get scared, 2023 is coming
Keep Reading
He said Mnangagwa’s failure to appoint a minister to oversee the CIO was “an abrogation of a constitutional nature, the consequences of which are dire.”
Now, Mr Speaker, section 225 of the Constitution places a peremptory obligation on the President. It uses the word “must” and what that means is that the President must not exercise a choice as far as fulfilling that obligation is concerned,” Gumbo said.
“So, it is very clear as it stands and as things stand now, we are one year after the election and we are in the second session of the 10th Parliament, still to date, no single minister has come into this House with or carrying the responsibility of National and State Security.”
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa has appointed Raymond Machingura executive director for the Presidential and National Scholarships Department in the Office of the President and Cabinet. He also appointed Rossy Mpofu special adviser on disability issues in the Office of the President and Cabinet.
