‘Rushwaya to drive economic agenda’

This comes as President Emmerson Mnangagwa has unveiled quite a number of key programmes, including the creation of the Mutapa Investment Fund, to shore up and reform certain aspects of the economy — and the ex-Defence secretary has replaced Misheck Sibanda.

“He is a seasoned civil servant… an insider, he is well-conversant with the role and has been in a senior government position for a long time. So, I think in terms of coordination and continental government programs that’s a big advantage,” economist Prosper Chitambara said, adding Rushwaya was “well-placed to succeed in his new role”.

“In terms of innovation, there could be some limitations and… bringing in new ideas to enhance government efficiency..,” he said.

Another commentator and ex-monetary policy committee member Eddie Cross said: “(Rushwaya is) the head of civil service and president’s office. This is a critical position. He has considerable experience and should not have any difficulty taking over from Sibanda.”

A former district and provincial administrator, Rushwaya has also served the government in various capacities after leading the creation of the first anti-corruption agency, spearheading many of the defence forces’ commercial ventures and later deputy chief secretary.

And the top bureaucrat’s latest appointment not only reflects his longstanding working relationship with the Zimbabwean leader but Mnangagwa’s faith in the man.

“It will be very interesting to see if he can secure a greater coherence over how government policy is projected and communicated; this will include whether or not he gets a handle over noisy bureaucrats,” Piers Pigou, the International Crisis Group senior consultant, said.

“This is an extremely powerful position… it is unclear whether he has the necessary skills set and… we will ever get a decent insight into his actions, and related performance…,” he said.

Speaking before his new cabinet’s first meeting this Tuesday, Mnangagwa said his administration’s focus remained on attaining upper middle-income status by 2030.

“Our policies… and projects should remain people-centred for an improved quality of life for all our people. Production and productivity across all sectors must be accelerated,” he said.

“All… programmes embarked on during the first term of the second republic should be completed speedily,” Mnangagwa said, adding “Rushwaya was expected to compile and evaluate ministerial successes, and challenges soon”.

“Monitoring and evaluating… all activities will continue to be supported by the e-enabled whole-of-government performance management system,” he added.

Meanwhile, business has urged the new cabinet to focus on implementing policies that will foster economic growth.

Mnangagwa retained Mthuli Ncube in Finance and Investment Promotion, Anxious Masuka in Agriculture, Felix Mhona — Transport and Infrastructure Development ministry, while Frederick Shava bounced back as the Foreign Affairs Minister.

Former Mines minister, Winston Chitando was appointed the new Local government minister, while Zhemu Soda replaced him in the extractives sector.

Edgar Moyo was appointed the new minister of Energy and Power Development, Sthembiso Nyoni was appointed as the new Industry and Commerce minister and Tatenda Mavetera is now the ICT minister.

July Moyo was moved to Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, a portfolio he once served in the mid-1990s. Mangaliso Ndlovu, formerly Tourism minister, now heads the Environment, Climate and Wildlife Ministr,y while Barbara Rwodzi was elevated to head the Tourism ministry after it was left to stand alone.

“Any leader is as good as those whom he surrounds himself or herself with,” Economist Vince Musewe said.

“To create a new economic trajectory, you need fresh brains and new ideas.

“We face the risk of facing the same problems… it is structures which create results and without fundamentally changing structures but merely changing personalities you face the risk of merely re-creating the very results you seek to change,” Musewe added.