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Michael Magoronga Midlands Correspondent
MDC-Alliance Midlands North chairperson Mr Sedwell Bhebhe has hailed President Mnangagwa for appointing a leaner 20-member Cabinet, which he said had the capacity to turnaround the fortunes of the country.

This is despite MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa’s dismissal of the new Cabinet, which has been well-received by Zimbabweans.

The 20-member Cabinet is expected to assist President Mnangagwa in transforming Zimbabwe into a middle-income economy by 2030.

In an interview, Mr Bhebhe hailed President Mnangagwa for taking a bold stance and leaving out some of the party’s old guard.

“I am confident that the team he assembled is able to deliver, I think it can do the job. I think for the first time, I can give the President thumbs-up to say the Cabinet is one which is able to drive the economy of the country ahead,” said Mr Bhebhe.

He singled out the newly-appointed Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube describing his track record as “impressive”.

“I think for the first time in years our economy is in safe hands. Prof Ncube’s track record is impressive and a lot is expected of him. Given his record, I think we are bound for a turnaround,” said Mr Bhebhe.

He urged the new Cabinet to shun corruption and deliver to people’s expectations.

“Of course I wish it was my party that was in power. But we are now looking up to the newly-appointed team to spearhead development in the country.

“I certainly hope that they stay clean and shun corruption, which threatens to destroy our economy,” he said.

Mbizo Member of Parliament, Mr Settlement Chikwinya said the newly-appointed Cabinet should shun corruption.

“It is not about personalities, but the underlying politics and corrupt tendencies associated with Zanu-PF.

“There are corrupt elements that hide under the armpits of Zanu-PF to foster their corrupt tendencies. I hope that the new Cabinet, with some new faces will shun corruption and be able to deliver,” he said.

Mr Chikwinya cited Minister Ncube, Mines and Mineral Development Minister, Winston Chitando, Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry and Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri saying the economic turnaround lay in their hands.

“I am sure that these I mentioned should be able to spearhead the economic turnaround if they get the proper support. However, there are some that I feel should have been dropped and their contribution is now meaningless in the new Cabinet,” said Mr Chikwinya.