Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has fired Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando, replacing him with his deputy, Dr Polite Kambamura.
The sacking and appointment are with immediate effect.
The changes were announced in a statement by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, last night.
“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has in terms of Section 340, Subsection (1f), as read with Section 108, Subsection (1a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, removed Winston Chitando as Cabinet Minister with immediate effect,” reads the first statement.
In a follow-up statement, Dr Rushwaya said: “In terms of Section 104, Subsection 1 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has appointed Polite Kambamura as Minister of Mines and Mining Development.”
Dr Kambamura is Sanyati Member of Parliament. He was first appointed Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development in 2018 and was reappointed Deputy Minister of Mines in September 2023, a position he held until his elevation last night.
He graduated with a PhD in Mining Engineering in 2021.
He also holds a Master in Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Mining Engineering.
Dr Kambamura is pursuing a number of other degrees including another PhD in Entrepreneurship and Business Sciences, with the Chinhoyi University of Technology.
This year, he graduated at Bindura University of Science Education with a Masters Degree in Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sustainability, Class 1, Best Graduating student in the programme, clinching the Vice Chancellor’s Prize.
As for Cde Chitando, he was first appointed Minister in 2017 and reappointed in 2018, serving until the 2023 harmonised elections.
He was then moved to a new portfolio, Local Government and Public Works, before being reassigned back to the Mines and Mining Development in April last year.
Cde Chitando, who is Gutu Central legislator, served in that portfolio until his dismissal yesterday.
