Cabinet Swearing in

President Mugabe’s press conference marks the end of the swearing in ceremony of ministers. It is now left to the newly appointed cabinet members to deliver what the revolutionary party promised the people of Zimbabwe during the campaign period leading to the Harmonised elections.

1442: The President expresses concern that farmers are concentrating on tobacco production alone at the expense of other crops such as maize and cotton.

1440: Agriculture extension officers should assist farmers to increase production of cotton , maize, tobacco and also give animal husbandry tips to farmers and assist them to improve productivity.

1438: His Excellency pledges Government support for farmers and calls on financial institutions to reduce interest rates they charge for loans extended to farmers.

1434:President says the new ministers will be briefed on the achievements and failures of their predecessors to chart a way forward.

President Mugabe’s press conference after the new cabinet was sworn in.

The swearing in of Ministers has ended- the new Cabinet members have gone for photo sessions

1304: Mashonaland East Minister of State, Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa followed by Cde Sylvester Nguni, Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office have signed their papers

1303: Cde Jason Machaya, Minister of State for Midlands Province submits signed papers
1303: Cde Abednico Ncube, Minister Of State for Matabeleland South Province has signed up

1302: Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Cde Flora Buka has signed her papers.

1300: Minister of State for Mashonaland West, Cde Faber Chidarikire has submitted his papers, closely followed by his Mashonaland Central counterpart, Advocate Martin Dinha

1259: Cde Chris Mushowe, Minister of State for Manicaland Province signs his papers.

1257: Ambassador Cain Mathema, the Minister of State for Matabeleland North Province submits his papers

1256: Minister of State for Bulawayo, Cde Eunice Moyo signs her papers

1255: Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Minister of State for Masvingo Province signs his papers

1254: Cde Josiah Hungwe, Minister of State for Liasing on Psychomotor Activities in Education submits his papers

Swearing in of Deputy Ministers has ended. Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs are now collectively taking their oath.

1241: Cde Biggie Matiza, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing signs his papers

1234: Deputy Minister of Health And Child Care, Dr Paul Chimedza signs his papers. Ahead of him was Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Cde Tongai Muzenda

1232: Cde Tendai Savanhu, Deputy Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement signs his papers

1229: Cde Christopher Mutsvanga has signed his papers, confirming his commitment to his post of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

1228: Cde Supa Mandiwanzira, Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services signs his papers

1227: Dr Samuel Undenge, Deputy Minister of Finance appends his signature

1226. Cde Abigail Damasane, Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development signs her papers

1224: Deputy Ministers collectively take their oaths

The 26 Ministers have been sworn in

1210: Cde Mike Bimha, Minister of Industry and Commerce takes oath

1208: Dr David Parirenyatwa takes oath as Minister of Health and Child Care, a position he previously held from 2005-2008

1207: Cde Andrew Langa, Sports Arts and Culture Minister comes next. President Mugabe commends him for taking up sport at a time that coincides with Zimbabwe’s beating of South Africa in a friendly match yesterday.

1206: Minister of Primary and Secondary Education , Cde Lazarus Dokora appends his signature.

12:05: Minister of Home Affairs Cde Kembo Mohadi is up next.

12:04: Up next is Cde Douglas Mombeshora, Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement.

12:03: President Mugabe congratulates Cde Mumbengegwi as he takes his oath of office.

12:02: Cde Walter Mzembi also takes his oath of office. Cde Mzembi retains the Tourism and Hospitality Industry portfolio and is embraced by Cde Joice Mujuru.

Minister Joseph Made is congratulated by President Mugabe after signing his papers

12:01: Up next to take his oath of office is Dr Joseph Made, the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation.

12:00: Minister of Finance, Cde Patrick Chinamasa follows to take oath. Cde Chinamasa was acting Finance Minister just before the signing of the GNU in 2009.

Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services, Jonathan Moyo, confirms his commitment to his new post — Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Prof Jonathan Moyo, confirms his commitment to his new post

11:59: Professor Jonathan Moyo steps in amid a thunderous applause from guests to take oath. Professor Moyo is the new Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services.

11:58: Cde Saviour Kasukuwere takes his oath and is being congratulated by President Mugabe.

11:56: Dr Ignatius Chombo is next to take oath. Dr Chombo retained his Local Government Public Works and National Housing portifolio

11:55: Cde Obert Mpofu the new Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister takes oath.

11:54: Higher and Tertiary Education Minister, Dr Olivia Muchena steps in and takes her oath.

11:52: Cde Oppah Muchinguri, Minister of Gender and Women’s Affairs is next to take oath.

We are running live updates of the swearing in ceremony of the new Cabinet.

11:51: Next is Cde Nicholas Goche followed by Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire, the new Minister of Energy and Power Development.