By Business Reporter– President Emmerson Mnangagwa has made yet another key appointment during his annual leave, underscoring his continued consolidation of power and his reliance on business allies for strategic roles.

On Wednesday, Mnangagwa, through Foreign Affairs Minister Amon Murwira, announced the appointment of Mr. Elesh Patel as the Special Presidential Investment Advisor to Bangladesh, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Patel, whose track record remains relatively obscure, has served as a board member of the struggling and effectively defunct National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) since February 2022.

Mnangagwa, who began his leave last Tuesday, has continued working amid speculation that his reluctance to relinquish the reins stems from fears of internal power struggles and a potential coup.

His habit of rewarding business allies with government posts has drawn criticism, with analysts questioning the qualifications and transparency of such appointments.