President Emmerson Mnangagwa has relieved Apollonia Munzverengwi of her duties as the Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
The decision was made public on Tuesday evening through a statement from Martin Rushwaya, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet. However, the statement did not specify the reasons for Munzverengwi’s dismissal. Rushwaya’s announcement read:
“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde E.D Mnangagwa, has, in terms of Section 108 (1a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, removed Hon. Apollonia Munzverengwi from the Office of Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mashonaland East, with immediate effect.”
Munzverengwi, who is a relative of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, was appointed to the role in 2018.
Although no official reasons were provided for her removal, it has been suggested that the dismissal could be linked to growing factional divisions within ZANU PF, particularly between the camps of Mnangagwa and Chiwenga.
The tension reportedly escalated after Mnangagwa allegedly reneged on a promise to serve only one term (2018-2023) and hand over power to Chiwenga. Mnangagwa’s supporters are now advocating for him to extend his presidency beyond the two-term limit, which would keep him in office past 2028. Meanwhile, loyalists to Vice President Chiwenga are pushing for him to succeed Mnangagwa when his second term concludes.
In a related development, Rushwaya also announced that Itayi Ndudzo, the Member of Parliament for Hwedza North, will replace Munzverengwi as the new Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East. Rushwaya’s statement continued:
“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, has, in terms of Section 104 Subsection (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, appointed Hon. Itayi Ndudzo as Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mashonaland East Province, with immediate effect.”
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