Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has fired Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Douglas Karoro for conduct inappropriate for a Deputy Minister.
In a statement, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda said the President removed the Deputy Minister from office in terms of section 340, subsection (1) paragraph (f) as read with section 104, subsection (1) of the Zimbabwe Constitution.
“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde ED Mnangagwa, in terms of section 340, subsection (1), paragraph (f) as read with section 104, subsection (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, has with immediate effect, removed Honourable Douglas Karoro (MP) from Office of Deputy Minister of Government, for conduct inappropriate for a Deputy Minister,” said Dr Sibanda.
Section 340, subsection (1), paragraph (f) reads: “Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, a power under this Constitution to appoint a person to an office includes a similar power — (f) subject to this Constitution, to suspend or remove the person from office while section 104, subsection (1) appointment of Ministers and Deputy Ministers reads as; The President appoints Ministers and assigns functions to them, including the administration of any Act of Parliament or of any Ministry or department, but the President may reserve to himself or herself the administration of an Act, Ministry or department.”
Karoro who is jointly charged with Jeremy Phiri and Dean Zimunya, is alleged to have fraudulently acquired inputs from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Mushumbi Pools depot in Mbire, Mashonaland Central, worth US$73 300. The inputs, 700 bags of fertiliser, maize seed worth US$18 000 and 5 000 vegetable seed kits were meant for the Presidential inputs scheme and were to benefit farmers in Mbire.
Karoro and his two accomplices have since been granted $50 000 bail each and will be back in court on 14 June.
Online Reporter