President swears in Komichi

Mr Komichi will replace Dr Tichaona Mudzingwa from the same party who died in April.
Taking the oath of office, at State House, Mr Komichi stunned guests who included his party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai when he had a slip of the tongue and said he was prepared to serve as Deputy Prime Minister.

“I Morgan Komichi do swear that I will truly serve Zimbabwe in the Office of Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Zimbabwe … sorry Deputy Minister,” he said.

“I Morgan Komichi do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Zimbabwe and observe the laws of Zimbabwe. So help me God.”

After a group photo session with President Mugabe, Mr Komichi said he was committed to working with Minister Nicholas Goche (Transport, Communications and Infrastructure Development) to improve the country’s road network.

He said most roads in rural areas were in a poor state and required urgent attention.
“We want to work together with Minister Goche. I am coming in a new job and want to learn,” said Mr Komichi.

“We are aware the roads need attention and other departments in this ministry such as Air Zimbabwe and NRZ are struggling. I do believe that team work is very effective.”
Mr Komichi said although he was an MDC-T member, he was prepared to work as a team member with officials in his new ministry.

He said Government business did not require a partisan mind.
“We are going to encourage non-partisanship. When I go to the ministry I should be taken as a member of the team and not as an MDC member,” he said.

Mr Komichi said it was important to fund local authorities for them to rehabilitate roads.
He said although the ministry was facing challenges, it had scored some positives.
Mr Komichi is the MDC-T deputy national chairman.

He is coming in as the Deputy Minister at a time when the inclusive Government is about to expire as general elections have been provisionally set for March next year.