By Costa Nkomo
President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed Senator Lovemore Matuke as Minister of State for National Security Tuesday, filling a position that became vacant in January 2022.
The appointment follows pressure from opposition lawmakers who argued the delay violated the constitution.
The post had been vacant since the dismissal of Owen Mudha Ncube for “inappropriate conduct,” in January 2022.
Ncube, known for allegedly orchestrating violence against political opponents in Midlands Province, was dismissed.
The National Intelligence Service ministerial post oversees the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), often criticized for alleged intimidation of political opponents.
Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya, announced Matuke’s appointment in a statement Tuesday.
“In terms of section 104 subsection (1) as read with section 225 of the Constitution, His Excellency, the President, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has appointed Hon. Lovemore Matuke, Senator as the Minister of State for National Security with immediate effect.”
The appointment comes after Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MP, Agency Gumbo, highlighted the constitutional breach in Parliament.
Last week, Gumbo said: “Section 225 of the Constitution Hon. Speaker, stipulates that the President must appoint a Minister to be responsible for any intelligence service and that is part four of the Constitution of the land.
“Now, Mr. Speaker, Section 225 of the Constitution places a peremptory obligation on the President. It uses the word ‘must’ and what that means is that the President must not exercise a choice as far as fulfilling that obligation is concerned.
“So, it is very clear as it stands and as things stand now, we are one year after the election and we are in the second session of the 10th Parliament, still to date, no single minister has come into this House with or carrying the responsibility of National and State Security.”
Matuke, previously Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, is a long-time friend of Mnangagwa.
