Government of National Unity (Zimbabwe)
Zimbabwe Government of National Unity 2009 - 2013
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Government of National Unity was the coalition government of Zimbabwe formed following the signing of the Global Political Agreement, which took effect on 11 February 2009. The discussions followed the 2008 general election, which had seen widespread violence and intimidation, and the MDC-T win a majority of seats in Parliament. President Robert Mugabe remained in office as President, while Morgan Tsvangirai was appointed Prime Minister - a post which had been abolished in 1987. The new ministers were sworn in on 11 February 2009, while deputies were sworn in on 20 February 2009.
Government of National Unity | |
|---|---|
Cabinet of Zimbabwe | |
| 2009–2013 | |
 Morgan Tsvangirai served as the first Prime Minister of Zimbabwe since the post was abolished in 1987 | |
| Date formed | 11 February 2009 |
| Date dissolved | 22 August 2013 |
| People and organisations | |
| President | Robert Mugabe |
| First Vice-President | Joice Mujuru |
| Second Vice-President |
|
| Prime Minister | Morgan Tsvangirai |
| Deputy Prime Ministers | |
| Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet | Misheck Sibanda |
| Member party | |
| Status in legislature | Coalition |
| History | |
| Incoming formation | 2008–2009 Zimbabwean political negotiations |
| Election | 29 March 2008 |
| Legislature term | 7th Parliament |
| Predecessor | Zimbabwe Temporary Cabinet of 2009 |
| Successor | Eighth Cabinet of Robert Mugabe |
History
The GNU was established under the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 19) Act, 2009, enacted on 13 February 2009.[1] This amendment modified the executive structure to create the office of prime minister and allocate powers between the president, prime minister, and cabinet. It also required that ministers be members of Parliament, either in the House of Assembly or Senate, to ensure accountability to the legislature.
This constitutional requirement led to the removal of Gibson Sibanda, a senior MDC–M figure initially appointed as Minister of State in the Deputy Prime Minister's office. Sibanda failed to secure a parliamentary seat in the 2008 elections and was not given one of the MDC-M appointed seats in Parliament, highlighting the strict application of the rule.[2]
The GNU cabinet initially comprised 31 ministers (later adjusted in practice), with portfolios apportioned among the three parties to reflect their electoral strengths and the GPA terms. ZANU–PF received 15 ministries, including key portfolios such as Defence, Home Affairs (shared with MDC–T), Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Media. MDC–T held 13 ministries, including Finance, ICT, Health, and Energy. MDC–M received 3 ministries, such as Education, Industry and Commerce and Regional Integration.[3][4]
The apportionment ensured representation but led to tensions over control of powerful ministries. Appointments were negotiated and announced by President Mugabe, with the prime minister chairing the Council of Ministers.[5]
In June 2010, Prime Minister Tsvangirai reshuffled MDC–T ministers, replacing several in his party's portfolios, including those for Energy and Housing. This was the only internal reshuffle during the GNU.[6]
The GNU ended following the 31 July 2013 general elections, in which ZANU–PF secured a two-thirds majority in parliament. The 2013 Constitution abolished the prime minister's office, restoring an executive presidency. Under the Constitution, Cabinet ministers retained their posts even after the dissolution of Parliament, until the newly elected President was sworn in, which occurred when Mugabe was sworn in on 22 August 2013. The period saw economic stabilisation through dollarisation and growth averaging around 10% annually, though political tensions persisted.[citation needed]
Cabinets
11 February 2009 – 23 June 2010
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
23 June 2010 – 22 August 2013
List of ministers
| ZANU-PF | MDC-T | MDC-M | ||||
| Cabinet ministers are listed in bold while deputies are not | ||||||
The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC)
The Office of the Prime Minister
| The Office of the Prime Minister | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hon. Morgan Tsvangirai | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | |
| Hon. Thokozani Khupe | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Arthur Mutambara | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Gorden Moyo | 11 February 2009 – 23 June 2010 | ||
| Hon. Jameson Timba | 23 June 2010 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Sekai Masikana Holland | 20 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Gibson Sibanda | 20 February 2009 – 19 May 2009[a] | ||
Departments of state
| Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Joseph Made | 11 February 2009 – 21 November 2017 | ||
| Hon. Roy Bennett | Never sworn in[b] | ||
| Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Eric Matinenga | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Defence | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Emmerson Mnangagwa | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Economic Planning and Investment Promotion | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Elton Mangoma | 11 February 2009 – 23 June 2010 | ||
| Hon. Tapiwa Mashakada | 23 June 2010 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Samuel Undenge | 20 February 2009 – 12 December 2014 | ||
| Education, Sport, Art and Culture | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. David Coltart | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Lazarus Dokora | 20 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Energy and Power Development | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Elias Mudzuri | 11 February 2009 – 23 June 2010 | ||
| Hon. Elton Mangoma | 23 June 2010 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Hubert Nyanhongo | 20 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Environment and Natural Resources Management | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Francis Nhema | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Finance | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Tendai Biti | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Foreign Affairs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Simbarashe Mumbengegwi | 15 April 2005 – 9 October 2017 | ||
| Hon. Moses Mzila Ndlovu | 20 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Health and Child Welfare | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Henry Madzorera | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Douglas Tendai Mombeshora | 20 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Higher and Tertiary Education | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Stan Mudenge | 11 February 2009 – 4 October 2012† | ||
| Hon. Lutho Addington Tapela | 20 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Home Affairs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Kembo Mohadi | 11 February 2009 – 6 July 2015 | ||
| Hon. Giles Mutsekwa | 11 February 2009 – 23 June 2010 | ||
| Hon. Theresa Makone | 23 June 2010 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Housing and Social Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Fidelis Mhashu | 11 February 2009 – 23 June 2010 | ||
| Hon. Giles Mutsekwa | 23 June 2010 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Industry and Commerce | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Welshman Ncube | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Michael Chakanaka Bimha | 20 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Information Communication Technology | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Nelson Chamisa | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Justice and Legal Affairs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Patrick Chinamasa | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Jessie Fungai Majome | 20 February 2009 – 23 June 2010 | ||
| Hon. Obert Gutu | 23 June 2010 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Labour and Social Welfare | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Paurina Gwanyanya | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Tracy Mutinhiri | 20 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Lands and Rural Resettlement | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Herbert Murerwa | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Local Government, Urban and Rural Development | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Ignatius Chombo | 11 February 2009 – 6 July 2015 | ||
| Hon. Sesel Zvidzai | 20 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Media, Information and Publicity | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Webster Shamu | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Jameson Zvidzai Timba | 20 February 2009 – 23 June 2010 | ||
| Hon. Murisi Zwizwai | 23 June 2010 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Mines and Mining Development | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Obert Mpofu | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Murisi Zwizwai | 20 February 2009 – 23 June 2010 | ||
| Hon. Gift Chimanikire | 23 June 2010 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Public Service | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Eliphas Mukonoweshuro | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Andrew Langa | 20 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Public Works | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Theresa Makone | 11 February 2009 – 23 June 2010 | ||
| Hon. Joel Gabuza Gabbuza | 23 June 2010 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Aguy Georgias | 20 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Regional Integration and International Co-operation | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hon. Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | |
|
Hon. Reuben Marumahoko | 20 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | |
| Science and Technology | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Heneri Dzinotyiweyi | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Sithembiso Nyoni | 11 February 2009 – 21 November 2017 | ||
| State Enterprises and Parastatals | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Joel Gabuza Gabbuza | 11 February 2009 – 23 June 2010 | ||
| Hon. Gorden Moyo | 23 June 2010 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Walter Kufakunesu Chidhakwa | 20 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Tourism and Hospitality Industry | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Walter Mzembi | 11 February 2009 – 9 October 2017 | ||
| Transport and Infrastructural Development | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Nicholas Goche | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Tichaona Mudzingwa | 20 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Water Resources and Development | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Samuel Sipepa Nkomo | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Women's Affairs, Gender and Community Development | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Olivia Muchena | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Evelyn Pfugamai Masaiti | 20 February 2009 – 23 June 2010 | ||
| Hon. Jessie Fungai Majome | 23 June 2010 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Saviour Kasukuwere | 11 February 2009 – 22 August 2013 | ||
| Hon. Thamsanqa Mahlangu | 20 February 2009 – 23 June 2010 | ||
| Hon. Tongai Matutu | 23 June 2010 – 22 August 2013 | ||
Provincial Governors
| Provincial Governors[7] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Cain Mathema | 10 February 2004 – 28 June 2013 | ||
| Hon. David Ishemunyoro Karimanzira | 15 April 2005 – 24 March 2011† | ||
| Hon. Christopher Mushohwe | 25 August 2008 – 28 June 2013 | ||
| Hon. Martin Dinha | 25 August 2008 – 28 June 2013 | ||
| Hon. Aeneas Chigwedere | 25 August 2008 – 28 June 2013 | ||
| Hon. Faber Chidarikire | 24 August 2008 – 28 June 2013 | ||
| Hon. Titus Maluleke | 25 August 2008 – 28 June 2013 | ||
| Hon. Thokozile Mathuthu | 15 April 2005 – 28 June 2013 | ||
| Hon. Angeline Masuku | 1 December 2003 – 28 June 2013 | ||
| Hon. Jaison Machaya | 25 August 2008 – 28 June 2013 | ||
Notes
- In terms of the Constitution, no minister was permitted to hold office for longer than three months unless he is a member of Parliament. Sibanda was not given a seat in Parliament, and as such lost his post automatically after three months had passed.
- Roy Bennett was nominated by the MDC-T as Deputy Minister for Agriculture and was appointed a Senator as one of their four party-appointed seats. Bennett was sworn in as a Senator, however Mugabe refused to swear him in as a Deputy Minister during the course of the GNU, and several charges were brought against him, eventually forcing him to live in exile after September 2010.