ED Sacks Minister Amid Escalating Factionalism
Emmerson Mnangagwa has fired Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Simelisizwe Sibanda.
Reason Why Chris Mutsvangwa was Fired
The news of Sibanda’s dismissal was made public through a statement released by Martin Rushwaya, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, on Monday.
The statement, however, did not provide any specific reasons for Sibanda’s removal from office. Rushwaya stated that Sibanda’s dismissal was in accordance with Section 108(1a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
Media speculation says the minister allegedly harassed a teacher who bears a Shona surname. It is said that the minister who is also member of Parliament for Bubi constituency made tribal remarks against the Early Childhood Development (ECD) teacher at an event at the school.
ED Sacks Minister Amid Escalating Factionalism
Notably, Sibanda is the third member of the cabinet to be fired by President Mnangagwa, following the dismissals of Chris Mutsvangwa in April this year and Roy Bhila in December last year.
The statement further emphasized that Sibanda’s removal from office was with immediate effect. Attempts to reach Sibanda for comment were unsuccessful at the time of this publication. The statement reads:
“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. Emmerson D. Mangagwa has, in terms of Section 108(1a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe removed Hon. Simelisizwe Sibanda from the Office of Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development with immediate effect.”
