The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA has relieved Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa of his duties as Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs with immediate effect and appointed new deputy ministers in three portfolios.
In a statement released yesterday, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications) Mr George Charamba said:
“The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, has announced the following appointments by His Excellency the President, Dr E.D. Mnangagwa:
“Hon Omphile Marupi as Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.
“Hon Sheillah Chikomo as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
“Hon Benjamin Kabikira as Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works.
“The appointments are with immediate effect.
“Further, the Chief Secretary has announced the removal with immediate effect of Honourable Christopher Mutsvangwa as Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs.”
Dr Marupi is the ZANU PF National Assembly member for Gwanda South constituency.
He is a veteran broadcaster, who joined the Zimbabwe Broadcasting
Corporation (ZBC) in 2000 and rose through the ranks to become head of Montrose Studios in Bulawayo.
Dr Marupi is also a multi-linguist, who participated in writing several education books in SeSotho, Venda, Kalanga and Xhosa, among other languages, when the Constitution of Zimbabwe included them as part of the country’s 16 official languages.
He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in English and Comparative Literature from the University of Fort Hare, South Africa; a Master of Science in Strategic Communication from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST); a Master of Arts in African Languages and Culture; a post-graduate degree in Higher and Tertiary Education; a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Language Studies; and a Bachelor of Arts Special Honours in Communication and Media Studies.
Dr Chikomo is the ZANU PF legislator for Mwenezi East constituency, having been elected into the National Assembly in the 2023 harmonised elections.
She holds a Doctor of Philosophy from Wits University, among other academic qualifications.
Eng Kabikira is the ZANU PF Member of Parliament for Muzarabani South.
Last month, President Mnangagwa appointed two other deputy ministers — Mr Raj Modi (Ministry of Industry and Commerce) and Mr Sleiman Timios Kwidini (Ministry of Health and Child Care).
Deputy Minister Kwidini is the Member of Parliament for Chiwundura constituency, while Mr Modi represents Bulawayo South.
