There are unconfirmed reports that the Executive chairman and founder of Econet and Zimbabwe's richest man might be named in President Emmerson Mnangagwa's economic advisory board.
Mnangagwa is expected to introduce technocrats from commerce and this is expected to send out a signal of sorts to the international community.Besides Masiyiwa, Nkosana Moyo and James Makamba's names are also being punted. The argument being that Moyo has links with the international financial institution which will make the re-engagement process easier for Zimbabwe.
Zanu-PF on its Twitter handle said, "New cabinet to be announced next week, please ignore all "sources" and speculation. The announcement will be made, it will not be influenced by hype, rumours or pressure from external lobby groups."
Mnangagwa is expected to form a new cabinet this week, with all eyes on whether he breaks with the past and names a broad-based government or selects old guard figures from Robert Mugabe's era.
Of particular interest is his choice of finance minister to replace Ignatius Chombo, who was among members of a group allied to Mugabe and his wife, Grace, who were detained and expelled from the ruling party. Chombo is facing corruption charges and is due to appear in court for a bail hearing on Monday. The pool of capable Zimbabwean in the finance and economic field is unlimited, however, Mnangagwa might be handicapped by the limited number of none constituency members that can serve in the cabinet.
After being sworn in as president last Friday, Mnangagwa vowed to rebuild Zimbabwe's ravaged economy and serve all citizens. But behind the rhetoric, some Zimbabweans wonder whether a man who loyally served Mugabe for decades can bring change to a ruling establishment accused of systematic human rights abuses and disastrous economic policies.
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| Breaking News - Strive Masiyiwa To Be Named In Mnangagwa's Economic Advisory Board? |
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change has called for an inclusive "transitional authority" to mark a break with Mugabe's 37-year rule and enact reforms to allow for credible and free elections due next year.
"Zimbabwe needs all hands on deck...We cannot continue reproducing these cycles of instability," Biti told Reuters.
Some economic and political analysts say Mnangagwa's choices may be limited after Cyber Security Minister and close ally Patrick Chinamasa said last week he saw no need for a coalition, as ZANU-PF had a parliamentary majority.
And with Mnangagwa saying on Friday elections would go ahead next year as scheduled, the opposition would have little to gain from participating in a coalition just eight months before the vote, Professor Anthony Hawkins, a business studies professor, said.
"If I were an opposition politician I would say: what's in it for me? Unless I'm convinced I'm going to lose the election, I won't participate," Hawkins told Reuters.
"He (Mnangagwa) might introduce technocrats from commerce and that will send out a signal of sorts... As far as the international community is concerned legitimacy is important. It's a very delicate situation and he has very little room for manoeuvre."New cabinet to be announced next week, please ingore all "sources" and speculation. The announcement will be made, it will not influenced by hype, rumors or pressure from external lobby groups. #Zimcabinet— ZANU PF (@zanu_pf) November 26, 2017
The Standard newspaper, which has been critical of Mugabe and his government over the years, said Mnangagwa would be judged on how he delivers on the bold commitments he made at his inauguration. It said he must "walk the talk on graft" that has exacerbated the country's economic decline.
Mugabe's fall after 37 years in power was spurred by a battle to succeed him that pitted Mnangagwa, his former deputy who had stood by him for 52 years, and Mugabe's wife, Grace, 52, who has been at the couple's "Blue House" mansion in Harare and hasn't been seen in public since.
Source - Online
