Harare, Dec 12 (IANS): Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has reshuffled his cabinet and appointed eight new ministers to replace those he sacked earlier this week over allegations of an assassination plot. Most of his cabinet ministers, including those of finance, defence, justice and mining, were retained.
The new ministers, along with two newly-appointed vice presidents -- Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko -- were sworn in at the State House Friday morning, Xinhua reported.
Mugabe Tuesday fired his longtime deputy, vice president Joice Mujuru, and seven ministers allegedly loyal to Mujuru over allegations that she plotted to assassinate him.
He then appointed Emmerson Mnangagwa, the incumbent justice minister, to replace Mujuru as the senior of the deputy heads of state, and Phelekezela Mphoko, a former military commander and seasoned diplomat, as the second vice president.
In the overnight cabinet reshuffle, Mugabe appointed former minister of state for Manicaland province Christopher Mushowe as the new indigenisation minister who oversees the implementation of the country's controversial indigenisation law requiring foreign investing companies to cede majority stake to black Zimbabweans.
For other appointments, former party national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo was appointed minister of economic planning following the abolition of his post in the party. Former deputy finance minister Samuel Undenge became the new energy minister and his deputy will be central committee member Tsitsi Muzenda.
Former information and publicity deputy minister Supa Mandiwanzira was elevated to minister of information, communication and technology. Secretary for environment and tourism in the Zanu-PF Politburo Prisca Mupfumira was appointed Public Service, Labour and Social Services Minister.
Former Women's Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri was appointed minister of higher and tertiary education. But the post of women's affairs minister has been left vacant, a position expected to be taken by Grace Mugabe, the first lady who was appointed head of the ruling party's women's league last week.