Zimbabwe president dissolves cabinet ahead of election

By Prince Machaya, HARARE Zimbabwe

President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa has dissolved his cabinet as he moved Monday to refocus his administration’s energies towards reclaiming victory in national elections due this Wednesday.

Addressing his outgoing cabinet in Harare on Monday, the Zimbabwean leader praised his ministers for what he said was a dedicated service during tour of duty in the past five years.

The Zanu PF leader and presidential candidate, who sees off a term characterised massive corruption, incessant power outages, currency hitches and a tough handle on opponents, told his ministers his party was headed for victory.

“Today’s meeting marks the end of this session of cabinet ahead of the harmonised general elections being held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

“We are confident of a resounding victory as the Second Republic,” he said.

Mnangagwa said poll victory prospects were buoyed by what he said was a good performance in the past five years.

“Most immediately, our focus is now on Wednesday’s elections which our revolutionary party, Zanu PF is poised to resoundingly win, given our record of performance in the past five years.

“I wish all those contesting in the elections great success in your respective constituencies.”

Mnangagwa believes his administration delivered on its mandate.

“The unity of purpose and hard work exhibited over the last five years has seen us delivering on our mandate, with unprecedented results across the socio-economic spectrum.

“The transformation, industrialisation and modernisation of the economy and upliftment of livelihoods towards the attainment of Vision 2030 of an empowered and prosperous upper middle-income society is evident.

“Congratulations to you all and the respective government ministries, departments and agencies which you superintended over,” he said.

The Zanu PF politician faces fierce challenge from his main opposition rival Nelson Chamisa of CCC.

There are 11 presidential candidates on the ballot paper who include MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora.

Mwonzora announced recently he was pulling out of the race citing what he found to be a calculated ploy by ZEC and the courts to destroy his party.

This followed failure by 87 MDC-T parliamentary candidates to pass through the nomination process following challenges experienced in the transfer of fees through the local banking system.