Dr. Misheck Sibanda, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet says Cabinet will sit this morning Tuesday 9th December 2014 in Parliament. The Cabinet meeting comes at a time some senior Government officials, including Vice President Joice Mujuru, are in trouble for reportedly plotting to unseat President Mugabe.
Many are keen to see if Mujuru will attend the Cabinet meeting considering that she has been boycotting some high-level Zanu-PF meetings, including the party’s just-ended 6th National People’s Congress. According to her latest public statement, she has been mindful of her personal security as the youths were meant to be unleashed on her for a physical assault.
A shake-up of the Cabinet is looming in the wake of the Congress resolution that all implicated in the plot to unseat the President, be punished without fear or favour; and President Mugabe’s announcement that all culprits whether at ministerial, deputy ministerial or civil service level face the boot.
Meanwhile, Mugabe will this week appoint a new Zanu-PF Politburo that will not feature several heavyweights who have relegated themselves to political oblivion by seeking to ouster President Mugabe. The changes could be a precursor to a Cabinet shakeup.
Major casualties in both the party and State executives are likely to be VP Mujuru, Presidential Affairs minister Didymus Mutasa, Public Service Nicholas Goche, Education Minister Lazarus Dokora and ICT Minister Webster Shamhu. Minister Francis Nhema, Olivia Muchena, Dzikamai Mavhaire, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Flora Bhuka, and Simbabneuta Mudarikwa also face uncertain future.
Senior government officials such as permanent secretaries and directors who were implicated in the faction related issues could also face the ouster. In line with the ratification of amendments to the party’s constitution, any member who is passed a vote of no confidence faces a five year suspension or expulsion. The amendments also established an elections commission to take over management of internal polls from the commissariat.