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Minister that fell vacant following the death of Minister Eliphas Mukonoweshuro last month.
Reliable sources told The Herald yesterday that Mr Tsvangirai has since communicated his decision to President Mugabe.
“The PM wrote to President Mugabe indicating that he had appointed Ms Matibenga to the position of Minister of Public Service,” a source said.
“The PM does not have powers to appoint a minister. Such powers are vested in the President and the PM can only recommend, not appoint. The letter was returned to the PM on those grounds,” added the source.
By late yesterday, the PM was yet to write to the President again, delaying the appointment of Ms Matibenga.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Mr Jameson Timba, would not comment on the matter yesterday.
“It is a matter between the President and the PM,” he said.
MDC-T spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, said the appointment of Minister Mukonoweshuro’s successor was not discussed at party level.
“The assessment and appointment of a minister is a Government issue. It is not a party issue. It is something you would not expect to be discussed at party level. It is the prerogative of the Prime Minister,” Mr Mwonzora said.
Minister Mukonoweshuro, who was an MDC-T national executive member and Gutu South legislator, succumbed to a heart complication at a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa last month.
Ms Matibenga is the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions third vice president having been elected to that position at the labour body’s congress held in Bulawayo last month.
Her elevation will see her relinquishing her position in the ZCTU.
She is also the House of Assembly representative for Kuwadzana.
Ms Matibenga, the MDC-T’s former women’s assembly chairperson, has clashed with Mr Tsvangirai in the past.
In 2007, Ms Matibenga led a demonstration against Mr Tsvangirai, denouncing “the Kitchen Cabinet” and the appointment to positions of authority in the party “through the back door”.
Mr Tsvangirai had earlier that year dissolved the national women’s assembly leaving Ms Matibenga in the cold.
Online Reporter