President appoints first female AG

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has appointed former Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Secretary Mrs Virginia Mabhiza as the new Attorney-General while former Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister Mike Madiro is the new National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) board chairperson.

The former National Covid-19 response Coordinator Dr Agnes Mahomva is now the Public Health Advisor in the Office of the President and Cabinet.

Dr Joram Gumbo who was Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in charge of Monitoring and Implementation of Government Programmes, has been appointed Special Advisor to the President responsible for Monitoring the Implementation of Government Programmes.

In a statement yesterday, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya said the appointments are with immediate effect except for Mrs Mabhiza whose appointment takes effect on November 1.

Mrs Mabhiza takes over from Advocate Prince Machaya who is retiring having served as Attorney-General since 2015.

Cde Madiro takes over from Adv Martin Dinha who has been the chairperson of the NRZ board since 2019.

“His Excellency the President has in terms of Section 114(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe appointed Mrs Virginia Mabhiza as the Attorney-General of Zimbabwe with effect from 1 November 2023. Mrs Mabhiza has held the post of Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs since 2013,” said Dr Rushwaya.

Mrs Mabhiza is a qualified legal practitioner who possesses vast experience in criminal and civil litigation. She also served as Secretary for Constitutional Affairs during the Inclusive Government during which she superintended over the COPAC-led Constitution-making process, and has represented the country at local, regional and international fora on matters of justice.

Dr Rushwaya said the appointment of Dr Mahomva to her new post will further strengthen the country’s public health system.

“His Excellency the President has appointed Dr Agnes Mahomva to the newly created post of Public Health Advisor to the President and Cabinet, with immediate effect,” he said.

Dr Rushwaya said Dr Mahomva’s efforts resulted in the successful management and containment of Covid-19 as documented in the 2021 and 2022 National Covid-19 pandemic response Intra Action Review (JAR) reports and the 2023 comprehensive National Covid-19 pandemic response video documentary.

“She played a critical advisory and coordinating role during the Covid-19 pandemic where she ensured that there was an evidence-based and well-coordinated division of labour between and among Government ministries, departments, agencies and other significant entities including communities and the private sector,” he said.

“The decision has been necessitated by the need to strengthen public health promotion efforts and enhance the country’s response to public health emergencies in view of the fact that public health issues span beyond the mandate of the Ministry responsible for health.”

Cde Madiro is an accountant of long standing. He is a former Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage and of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.

“His Excellency the President has appointed Honourable J.M. Gumbo as Special Advisor to His Excellency the President responsible for Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes, with immediate effect. The Special Advisor will provide advice and independent coverage of the status of project implementation countrywide,” said Dr Rushwaya.