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President Mugabe, who is also the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, gave the keynote address.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai also failed to turn up for the event that was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara.
Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo, came to the rescue of National Housing and Social Amenities permanent secretary David Munyoro who was clearly in a lurch by standing in for Minister Mutsekwa whom sources said was still smarting from his failure to get confirmation in his Chikanga/Dangamvura constituency.
Sources in MDC-T say Mr Mutsekwa faces certain defeat to Mr Arnold Tsunga.
Other ministers from the MDC-T who have failed to be confirmed for the forthcoming elections are Science and Technology Minister Henry Dzinotyiwei.
Former Cabinet Minister Fidelis Mhashu also failed to be confirmed in Chitungwiza South constituency.
Several ministers from MDC-T and senior party officials have already fallen by the way side after they failed to scrap through the confirmation exercise where a sitting MP had to garner two thirds of the electoral college.
The failure by Minister Mutsekwa now means that the race is open for everyone in the party.
When contacted for comment, Minister Mutsekwa claimed that he failed to attend the event because he was not feeling well.
“I was seeing a doctor. I am not feeling well,” said Minister Mutsekwa.
“Yes, I am the one who invited principals because it is us as a ministry who wrote that policy document. My worry is that why would newspapers be worried about my absence when principals are not?
“The reason for my failure to attend the event was explained,” said Minister Mutsekwa.
Both the PM and Minister Mutsekwa had been lined up to deliver speeches at the event.
PM Tsvangirai’s spokesperson Mr Luke Tamborinyoka said his boss could not attend the National Housing Policy launch as he had another engagement.
“The PM was busy with another engagement elsewhere,” said Mr Tamborinyoka without elaborating.
Online Reporter