Heavy criticism as 80-year-old Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa appoints son, nephew as deputy ministers

President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, 80, faced criticism on Monday after he appointed his son, David Kudakwashe Mnangagwa, and his nephew, Tongai Mafidhi Mnangagwa as deputy ministers in a new cabinet following his re-election.

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This move has called for concern about nepotism rising within the government.
Local media reported that Mnangagwa’s son will serve as the deputy to Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, while his nephew, Tongai Mafidhi Mnangagwa, is to serve as the deputy minister of tourism and hospitality. This decision is part of the newly constituted cabinet consisting of 26 ministries.

Meanwhile, a lawmaker from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Fadzayi Mahere, criticised Mnangagwa’s cabinet, describing it as “indefensible.”
She raised concerns about legitimacy, corruption, v#ol£nc£, nepotism, incompetence, and ethical issues within the government.

Mnangagwa further appointed husband and wife, Christopher and Monica Mutsvangwa, as ministers. He gave Christopher the power to lead the new Ministry of Veterans of Liberation, while Monica Mutsvangwa is the new minister
of Women’s Affairs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

David Mnangagwa, who recently graduated with a law degree from the University of Zimbabwe, entered parliament through the youth quota system on the Zanu PF party list from Midlands province. Tongai Mnangagwa is the Zanu PF Member of Parliament for Hunyani constituency. His late father, David Mnangagwa, was President Mnangagwa’s younger brother.

It was gathered that President Mnangagwa is also considering an official role in his office for another of his sons, Emmerson Junior.