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Simiso Mlevu and Farirai Machivenyika

President Mugabe is today expected to swear into office 14 ministers at a ceremony to be held at State House. A number of ministerial portfolios fell vacant following the demise and reassignment of some ministers as well as the dismissal of those linked to the putschist cabal linked to former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru.

10:55 Incoming ministers are already making their way to the State House ahead of the swearing in ceremony.

Harare Provincial Affairs Minister Miriam Chikukwa, her sister Mrs Angela Mawere and Annastasia Ndhlovu

Those set to be sworn-in today are Hon Patrick Zhuwao, Hon Abednigo Ncube, Hon Joram Mcdonald Gumbo, Hon Makhosini Hlongwane, Hon Edgar Mbwembwe, Hon Obedingwa Mguni, and Hon Berita Chikwama.

Others are Hon Christopher Peter Chingosho, Hon Michael Madanha, Hon Aldrin Musiiwa, Hon Thokozile Angela Mathuthu, Hon Tshinga Judge Dube, Hon Annastasia Ndhlovu and Hon Tapiwanashe Majaya Matangaidze.

Vacancies are in the Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Ministry following the reassignment of Professor Jonathan Moyo to the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development; Environment, Water and Climate Deputy following the death of Cde Kundai Musanhu in January and also in the Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development office following the sacking of Petronella Kagonye.

There also vacancies in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Deputy Minister’s office following the sacking of Fortune Chasi while the Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Deputy Minister’s post is vacant following the reassignment of Cde Joel Biggie Matiza initially to be the Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs before he assumed the chairmanship of the Province.

Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture’s post also fell vacant after the elevation of Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga to the Office of Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko as Minister of State.

Incoming ministers going for rehearsals ahead of the swearing in ceremony

11:50 President Mugabe has just arrived for the swearing in ceremony.

12:00 Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko and Senate president Cde Edna Madzongwe are also present at the ceremony.

12:28

Some of the incoming ministers with their families in the background

12:33 President Mugabe is still in his office and is expected to swear in newly appointed ministers shortly.

14:30 

The ceremony is about to start. VPs Mphoko and Mnangagwa and Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet have taken their seats at the top table.

14:33 Gumbo is coming in as Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. He takes over from Dr Obert Mpofu who is said to have been reassigned. Gumbo is the first one to sign his oath.

14:40 Deputy ministers now taking their oath of office. Annastasia Ndhlovu is incoming deputy Minister of Tourism,  Bertha Chikwama is now deputy minister of Lands and Resettlement, Edgar Mbwembwe is new deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tapiwa Matangaidze is new deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

Tshinga Dube is new deputy minister of War Veterans, War Collaborators and Detainees,  Christopher Chingosho  is coming in as deputy minister Local Government, Public and National Housing and Michael Madanha becomes deputy minister Transport and Infrastructure Development.

Deputy minister of Health and Child Care is  Aldrin Musiiwa, deputy minister Media, Information and Broadcasting Services is Thokozile Angela Mathuthu replacing Monica Mutsvangwa who has been reassigned to be deputy minister Macro-Economic Planning.

Abednigo Ncube has been appointed Minister Raural Development and Preservation of National Cultural Heritage, Christopher Mushohwe is the new minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services while Cde Simon Khaya Moyo has been re-assigned to be Minister of Policy Coordination and Promotion of Social economic Ventures in the President’s office.

Dr Mpofu is the new minister of macro-economic planning and investment promotion.

15:00 President Mugabe congratulates new ministers and deputies on their appointments. 

15:15 The new appointees are now in a closed door briefing with the President and this brings to an end our live updates