On Monday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa was accused of nepotism for appointing his son, David Kudakwashe Mnangagwa, as the deputy finance minister in his new cabinet, after a controversial re-election. David will be working under finance minister Mthuli Cube. Additionally, the president’s nephew, Tongai Mafidhi Mnangagwa, was named as the deputy minister of tourism and hospitality.

According to Fadzayi Mahere, a member of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), the cabinet of Mnangagwa is unacceptable. Mahere stated that it is a combination of illegitimacy, corruption, violence, nepotism, incompetence, and sex scandals. She added that it lacks the ethical leadership that Zimbabweans need and deserve. It is no surprise that the national mood is dismal.

Mnangagwa appointed Christopher and Monica Mutsvangwa as ministers. Christopher will lead the new ministry of Veterans of Liberation, while Monica will be the minister of Women’s Affairs and SMEs.

David Mnangagwa graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a law degree. He was elected to parliament through the youth quota system, listed on a Zanu PF party roster from the Midlands province. Mnangagwa is believed to have almost two dozen children.

Tongai, meanwhile, is the Zanu PF MP for Hunyani constituency. His late father, David, was Mnangagwa’s young brother.

On Monday, sources reported that Mnangagwa is contemplating bestowing an official role on his son, Emmerson Junior, in his office. According to the source, Junior has already attended some of the president’s meetings with foreign investors, which has been an uncomfortable situation. Mnangagwa aims to regularise this arrangement by giving Junior an official position, such as an adviser or director.

On August 23rd, the 80-year-old Mnangagwa was declared the winner of the election amidst opposition allegations that the vote was fraudulent. He is now serving his second and final term as president, becoming another addition to the list of African leaders who have established political dynasties.

In Congo-Brazzaville, President Denis Sassou-Nguesso appointed his son Denis-Christel as a cabinet minister, a move that revived media speculation that he had a dynastic succession in mind.

Teodoro Obiang, President of Equatorial Guinea, appointed his son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, as Vice President. He has been in power since removing his uncle Francisco Macías Nguema in 1979.

The former President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba, is the son of Omar Bongo who held the position from 1967 to 2009. Similarly, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila succeeded his father, Laurent-Désiré, after his assassination and remained as the head of state for 17 years.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has appointed his daughter Ange Kagame as the deputy executive director of the Strategy and Policy Unit in the Office of the President.

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has a new mayor in Harare. Ian Makone, who represents Ward 18, won the vote of the council on Monday, replacing Jacob Mafume from Ward 17. Kudzai Kadzombe, representing Ward 41, will serve as his deputy.

The CCC won a large majority in the election, taking 42 of the 45 council seats. Makone received 46 votes from the council, while his opponent, Temany Utete of Zanu PF, received only 7. Kadzombe won with 47 votes, compared to Susan Chuma of Zanu PF, who received 7. Party leader Nelson Chamisa instructed CCC councillors to vote for Makone and Kadzombe, and issued similar instructions for the election in Bulawayo.

In his first speech as mayor, Ian Makone pledged to prioritize service delivery to all residents, regardless of political affiliation. He also promised to tackle corruption and ensure that council workers are fairly paid. Tafadzwa Muguti, Harare’s secretary for provincial affairs, offered government support to the new council in addressing issues such as water supply, garbage collection, and sewer maintenance.

Overall, the message from the council and government officials was one of unity and shared responsibility for the well-being of Harare and its residents.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced his new cabinet on Monday, following a controversial victory in last month’s elections. Mthuli Ncube remains in charge of finance while Constantino Chiwenga has been relieved of his dual role as health minister. Dr Douglas Mombeshora has been appointed as the new health minister.

Soda Zhemu has been named the new mines minister, with Edgar Moyo taking his old position at energy. Winston Chitando, the former mines minister, is now the local government minister and July Moyo has been moved to public service, labour, and social welfare.

David Kudakwashe Mnangagwa and Tongai Mnangagwa, the president’s nephews, have been appointed as deputy ministers. David will assist Ncube in finance, while Tongai will be the deputy minister for tourism and hospitality.

Monica Mutsvangwa has relinquished her role in information and is now in charge of women’s affairs and SMEs. Her previous position has been given to Jennifan Muswere, who was previously the ICT minister. Christopher Mutsvangwa, Monica’s husband, has been appointed as the head of a new ministry for Veterans of Liberation.

Tatenda Annastacia Mavetera has been named as the new ICT minister, and Sithembiso Nyoni has been appointed to industry and commerce, replacing the previous minister Sekai Nzenza, who failed to secure a parliamentary seat.

Here is Mnangagwa’s Cabinet in full:

Finance & Investment Promotion

Prof Mthuli Ncube

Deputy: David Kudakwashe Mnangagwa

Youth Empowerment

Tino Machakaire

Deputy: Junior Mupamanga

Sports, Recreation, Arts & Culture

Kirsty Coventry

Deputy: Emily Jesaya

Environment, Climate and Wildlife

Mangaliso Ndlovu

Deputy: John Paradza

Veterans of Liberation

Christopher Mutsvangwa

Tourism and Hospitality

Barbra Rwodzi

Deputy: Tongai Mnangagwa

Defence

Oppah Muchinguri

Deputy: Levy Mayihlome

Women’s Affairs, Community & SMEs

Monica Mutsvangwa

Deputy: Jennifer Mhlanga

Local Government and Public Works

Winston Chitando

Foreign Affairs

Fredrick Shava

Home Affairs

Kazembe Kazembe

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs

Ziyambi Ziyambi

Deputy: Obert Mazungunye

Information

Jennifan Muswere

Information Communication Technology

Tatenda Mavetera

Deputy: Dingumuzi Phuthi

Mines and Mining Development

Zhemu Soda

Higher Education and Tertiary Education

Prof Amon Murwira

Deputy: Simelizizwe Sibanda

Primary and Secondary Education

T Moyo

Deputy: Angeline Gata

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare

July Moyo

Deputy: Mrs Dinha

Industry and Commerce

Sithembiso Nyoni

Transport and Infrastructure Development

Felix Mhona

Energy and Power Development

Edgar Moyo

National Housing

Daniel Garwe

Deputy: Yeukai Simbanegavi

Lands, Agriculture and Fisheries

Anxious Masuka

Deputy: Vangelis Peter Haritatos

Deputy: Davis Marapira

Health and Child Care

Dr Douglas Mombeshora

Provincial Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet

Lovemore Matuke

Skills Audit & Development

Prof Paul Mavhima

Provincial Affairs Ministers

BULAWAYO – Judith Ncube

HARARE – Charles Tavengwa

MASVINGO – Ezra Chadzamira

MIDLANDS – Owen Ncube

MANICALAND – Nokuthula Matsikenyere

MASHONALAND EAST – Apollonia Munzverengwi

MASHONALAND WEST – Miriam Chombo

MASHONALAND CENTRAL – Christopher Magomo

MATABELELAND NORTH – Richard Moyo

MATABELELAND SOUTH – Evelyn Ndlovu