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OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHSB #0162/01 0571453
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 261453Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4101
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 2657
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 2778
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1248
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2046
RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 2402
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 2826
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 5254
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RHMFISS/EUCOM POLAD VAIHINGEN GE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1947
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 HARARE 000162 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
AF/S FOR B. WALCH 
DRL FOR N. WILETT 
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU 
ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS 
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR E. LOKEN AND L. DOBBINS 
STATE PASS TO NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ASEC ZI
SUBJECT: NEW ZIMBABWEAN CABINET ASSEMBLED 
 
REF: HARARE 130 
 
¶1.  (SBU) The newly-constituted Zimbabwean Cabinet is 
comprised of 42 members, consisting of six principals (the 
president, the prime minister, two vice presidents, and two 
deputy prime ministers) and 36 Cabinet-level ministers. 
There are an additional five ministers of state who are not 
members of Cabinet.  Twenty deputy ministerial positions have 
also been allocated, with ZANU-PF receiving 10, MDC-T nine, 
and MDC-M one.  The incarcerated deputy minister of 
Agriculture, Roy Bennett, is the only ministerial level 
official not yet sworn into office (Ref). 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The ministerial nominations represented 
approximately a 33 percent expansion from the totals agreed 
upon in the Interparty Political Agreement (IPA) signed last 
September.  The IPA and Amendment 19 stipulated a total of 31 
ministers and 15 deputy ministers, while the final tally is 
41 ministers and 20 deputy ministers.  Most significantly, 
the increase in ministers has given ZANU-PF the majority of 
votes in Cabinet, although according to the IPA and Amendment 
19 all decisions have to be made in consensus. 
 
¶3.  (U) The table below groups the two MDC formations 
together, includes the six principals, and compares the 
allocation of positions in the IPA with the current 
situation: 
 
                  IPA      IPA   ACTUAL   ACTUAL 
                   ZANU-PF  MDC   ZANU-PF   MDC 
 
Principals            3      3       3       3 
Cabinet Ministers    15     16      19      17 
 
   CABINET TOTAL     18     19      22      20 
 
Non-Cabinet Ministers 0      0       3       2 
 
   GRAND TOTAL       18     19      25      22 
 
In comparison, the 2005 Cabinet had 30 ministries and 
ministers. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The expansion of the cabinet from the numbers 
contemplated by the IPA and stipulated in Amendment 19 was a 
decision of the principals--ZANU-PF head Robert Mugabe, and 
MDC leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara.  Mugabe 
was the prime mover as ZANU-PF lost cabinet positions as a 
result of the inclusive government, and he tried to find 
positions for ZANU-PF loyalists.  Nevertheless, Tsvangirai 
and Mutambara went along in an effort to find positions for 
some of their people as well.  Widely and justifiably being 
criticized as bloated by political analysts and the 
independent press, the Cabinet will require badly needed 
resources to pay salaries and buy emoluments of office such 
as luxury cars.  And potential donors will know a portion of 
assistance will be used for unnecessary government officials. 
 
 
¶5. (U) The following is a list of senior Zimbabwean officials 
which indicates their government position, party affiliation, 
province of origin and ethnicity.  Post will provide greater 
analysis of the Cabinet septel. 
 
President, HE Robert Mugabe (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland West 
Province, Zvimba District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Vice President, Hon Joseph Msika (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland 
Central Province, Mt. Darwin District, Shona ethnicity 
QCentral Province, Mt. Darwin District, Shona ethnicity 
 
 
HARARE 00000162  002 OF 005 
 
 
Vice President, Hon Joyce Mujuru (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland 
Central Province, Mt. Darwin District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Prime Minister, Hon Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC-T), Masvingo 
Province, Gutu District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Deputy Pime Minister, Hon Prof. Arthur Mutambara (MDC-M), 
Manicaland Province, Chimanimani District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Thokozani Khupe (MDC-T), Bulawayo 
Province, Ndebele ethnicity 
 
Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation 
Development, Hon Joseph Made (ZANU-PF), Manicaland Province, 
Makoni District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation 
Development, Mr. Roy Bennett (not yet swoQ in) (MDC-T), 
Manicaland Province, Chimanimani District, Caucasian ethnicity 
 
Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon 
Adv. Eric Matinenga (MDC-T), Manicaland Province, Buhera 
District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Defense, Hon Emmerson Mnangagwa (ZANU-PF), 
Midlands Province, Chirumhanzu District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, Hon 
Elton Mangoma (MDC-T), Manicaland Province, Makoni District, 
Shona ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Economic Planning and Investment 
Promotion, Hon Samuel Undenge (ZANU-PF), Manicaland Province, 
Chimanimani District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Education, Sport, Art and Culture, Hon David 
Coltart (MDC-M), Bulawayo Province, Caucasian ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Education, Sport, Art and Culture, Hon 
Lazarus Dokora (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland Central Province, 
Rushinga District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Energy and Power Development, Hon Elias Mudzuri 
(MDC-T), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development, Hon Hubert 
Nyanhongo (ZANU-PF), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Enterprises and Parastatals, Hon Joel Gabbuza 
(MDC-T), Matabeleland North Province, Binga District, Ndebele 
ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Enterprises and Parastatals, Hon Walter 
Chidhakwa (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland West Province, Zvimba 
District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Management, Hon 
Francis Nhema (ZANU-PF), Midlands Province, Shurugwi 
District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Finance, Hon Tendai Biti (MDC-T), Harare 
Province, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Dr. Simbarashe Mumbengegwi 
(ZANU-PF), Midlands Province, Shurugwi-Zvishawane District, 
Shona ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Moses Mzila Ndlovu 
(MDC-M), Matabeleland South Province, Bulilimamangwe 
District, Ndebele ethnicity 
 
HARARE 00000162  003 OF 005 
 
 
 
Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Hon Dr. Henry 
Madzorera, (MDC-T), Midlands Province, Kwekwe District, Shona 
ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Hon Douglas 
Mombeshora (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland West Province, Makonde 
District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Hon. Dr. Stan 
Mudenge (ZANU-PF), Midlands Province, Masvingo District, 
Shona ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Hon Lutho 
Addington Tapela (MDC-M), Matabeleland South Province, 
Bulilimamangwe District, Ndebele ethnicity 
 
Minister of Home Affairs (Co-shared), Hon Kembo Mohadi 
(ZANU-PF), Matabeleland South Province, Beitbridge, Ndebele 
ethnicity; and Hon Giles Mutsekwa (MDC-T), Manicaland 
Province, Mutare District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Housing and Social Amenities, Hon Fidelis Mhashu 
(MDC-T), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Information Communication Technology, Hon Nelson 
Chamisa (MDC-T), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon Prof. Welshman Ncube, 
(MDC-M), Bulawayo Province, Ndebele ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon Mike Bimha 
(ZANU-PF), Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Hon Patrick Chinamasa 
(ZANU-PF), Manicaland Province, Makoni District, Shona 
ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Hon Jessie 
Majome (MDC-T), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Labour, Hon Paurina Gwanyanya (MDC-T), Shona 
ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Labour, Hon Tracy Mutinhiri (ZANU-PF), 
Mashonaland East Province, Marondera District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Hon Dr Herbert 
Murerwa (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland East Province, Goromonzi 
District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Local Government, Urban and Rural Development, 
Hon Ignatius Chombo (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland West Province, 
Zvimba District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Local Government, Urban and Rural 
Development, Mr. Cecil Zvidzai (MDC-T), Midlands Province, 
Gweru District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, Hon Webster 
Shamu (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland West Province, Chegutu District, 
Shona ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, Hon 
Jameson Timba (MDC-T), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon Obert Mpofu 
(ZANU-PF), Matabeleland North Province, Umguza District, 
Ndebele ethnicity 
 
 
HARARE 00000162  004 OF 005 
 
 
Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon Murisi 
Zwizwai (MDC-T), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Public Service, Hon Prof Eliphas Mukonoweshuro 
(MDC-T), Masvingo Province, Gutu District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Public Service, Hon Andrew Langa 
(ZANU-PF), Matabeleland South Province, Insiza District, 
Ndebele ethnicity 
 
Minister of Public Works, Hon Theresa Makone (MDC-T), Harare 
Province, Shona ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Public Works, Mr. Aguy Georgias (ZANU-PF), 
Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Regional Integration and International 
Co-operation, Hon Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (MDC-M), 
Harare Province, Shona/Ndebele ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Regional Integration and International 
Co-operation, Hon Reuben Marumahoko (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland 
West Province, Hurungwe District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Science and Technology, Hon Prof Heneri 
Dzinotyiwei (MDC-T), Harare Province, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative 
Development, Hon Sithembiso Nyoni (ZANU-PF), Matabeleland 
North Province, Nkayi District, Ndebele ethnicity 
 
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon Walter 
Mzembi (ZANU-PF), Masvingo Province, Masingo District, Shona 
ethnicity 
 
Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon 
Nicholas Goche (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland Central Province, 
Shamva District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, 
Dr. Tichaona Mudzingwa (MDC-T), Manicaland Province, Buhera 
District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Water Resources, Hon Samuel Sipepa Nkomo (MDC-T), 
Ndebele ethnicity 
 
Minister of Women's Affairs, Gender and Community 
Development, Dr. Olivia Muchena (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland East 
Province, Mutoko District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Women's Affairs, Gender and Community 
Development, Hon Evelyn Masaiti (MDC-T), Harare Province, 
Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of Youth Development, Indigenization and 
Empowerment, Hon Saviour Kasukuwere (ZANU-PF), Mashonaland 
Central Province, Mt. Darwin District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Deputy Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and 
Empowerment, Hon Thamsanqa Mahlangu (MDC-T), Bulawayo 
Province, Ndebele ethnicity 
 
Minister of State in the President's office, Hon John Nkomo 
(ZANU-PF), Matabeleland North Province, Tsholotsho District, 
Ndebele ethnicity 
 
Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Hon Didymus 
Mutasa (ZANU-PF), Manicaland Province, Makoni North District, 
Shona ethnicity 
 
 
HARARE 00000162  005 OF 005 
 
 
Minister of State for National Security in the President's 
office, Hon Dr. Sydney Sekeramayi (ZANU-PF), Marondera East 
District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of State in Vice President Msika's office, Hon Flora 
Bhuka (ZANU-PF), Gokwe District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of State in Vice President Mujuru's office, Hon 
Sylvester Nguni (ZANU-PF), Mhondoro District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of State in the Prime Minister's office, Hon Gordon 
Moyo (MDC-T) Bulawayo District, Ndebele ethnicity 
 
Minister of State in the Prime Minister's office, Hon Sekai 
Holland (MDC-T), Chizhanje District, Shona ethnicity 
 
Minister of State in Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara's 
office, Mr. Gibson Sibanda (MDC-M), Nkulumane District, 
Ndebele ethnicity 
 
END LIST OF SENIOR ZIMBABWEAN OFFICIALS 
 
MCGEE