Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
PARLIAMENT has approved 10 people who have been recommended by President Mnangagwa for appointment as Senators following the enactment of Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Act, 2026, which expanded Senate from 80 to 90 members.
The appointments are provided for under an amendment to Section 120 of the Constitution, which creates 10 additional Presidentially-appointed Senate seats for people selected based on their professional skills and other competencies.
The provision requires the President to consult the National Assembly before making the appointments.
The appointees are, therefore, not elected Senators, but will join the Senate through the new Constitutional provision.
The Act was signed into law by President Mnangagwa in July.
The 10 are now waiting for their swearing-in.
Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda announced the nominees at a National Assembly sitting and instituted the process that allows approval by the House.
“After consultation with the National Assembly, I have to inform the House that His Excellency, the President, is desirous of appointing the following as Senators: No.1 Jabulani Sibanda, 2. Mary Mliswa, 3. Nokhutula Matsikenyere, 4. Kudakwashe Tagwirei, 5.Godwills Masimirembwa, 6.Lucy Chitaga, 7. General Gibson Mashingaidze, 8. Makosini Hlongwane, 9. Brilliant Dube, 10. Irene Mutumbwa”
The appointments bring together former legislators, senior Zanu PF figures, a businessman, a retired military commander and people with backgrounds in law, politics and civic activism.
Cde Sibanda is a former chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, a position he held for more than a decade.
He is the Bulawayo Zanu PF provincial chairman.
Cde Mliswa was Zanu PF MP for Hurungwe West constituency, having won in the 2018 election.
In 2022, Cde Mliswa made party history by becoming the first woman to chair a Zanu PF provincial structure after winning the Mashonaland West chairmanship.
Cde Matsikenyere represented Chimanimani West in the National Assembly after winning the 2018 elections.
She later served as Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
Cde Tagwirei is a prominent businessman with interests spanning energy, mining and agriculture.
He is a Zanu PF Central Committee member.
Cde Masimirembwa is Zanu PF Harare provincial chairman, while Retired General Mashingaidze is a war veteran and former senior Zimbabwe National Army officer.
Cde Hlongwane is a former Zanu PF legislator for Mberengwa East who served in Government as Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, while Mr Brilliant Dube is a politician.
Ms Mutumbwa and Ms Chitaga were also actively involved in politics.
