War for cabinet posts hots up

ZANU-PF has 15 ministerial posts in the unity government, MDC-T 13 and three for the smaller faction of the opposition led by Arthur Mutambara.
There are also 15 deputy ministerial posts for the taking, eight allocated to ZANU-PF, six to MDC-T and one to MDC-M.
ZANU-PF insiders said President Mugabe had very little room to manoeuvre because of the nature of the Global Political Agreement hence there was intense jostling for positions among his coterie.
“President Mugabe is in a tight spot. He is finding it difficult to please all and his traditional style of regional balance would be tested. He will probably recycle deadwood as a reward for their loyalty,” a source said.
The Ministry of Defence, the sources said, could remain with Sydney Sekeramayi whom sources argue “has a pair of safe hands.”
Ignatius Chombo, the Local Government Minister, is destined for the Lands and Resettlement post, a portfolio he holds in the party’s politburo. The MDC has previously voiced concern over Chombo’s heavy handedness in dealing with opposition-dominated councils.
In the event that Chombo is not retained as Local Government Minister, Didymus Mutasa, one of President Mugabe’s trusted lieutenants, could land the post.
Sources further speculated that the Foreign Affairs Ministry could remain with Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, while Francis Nhema was set to retain the Tourism Ministry.
Mike Bimba, former Air Zimbabwe chairman, is tipped to takeover the Transport Ministry from Christopher Mushohwe who is now the Governor and Resident Minister for Manicaland.
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development was likely to go to Sylvester Nguni while the Ministry of Agriculture reverts to Joseph Made.
Sources said Edward Chindori-Chininga could bounce back as Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Management while Herbert Murerwa, who resigned from Cabinet as finance minister last year could bounce back as Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education.
Sithembiso Nyoni, sources said, could retain her post as Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development while Patrick Chinamasa could stay put at the Justice Ministry.
Olivia Muchena, the sources said, could takeover as the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development while former information minister Jonathan Moyo, now an independent legislator, is expected to run the Media, Information and Publicity Ministry.
Ex ZIPRA cadre Ambrose Mutinhiri is set to retain his position as Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment to keep the political balance.
The source said the Ministry of Home Affairs could be co-led by John Nkomo, the party’s national chairman. Nkomo is a former minister of Home Affairs and is seen as a firm hand while Nicholas Goche will return to the department of State Security as a reward for necessitating inter-party negotiations.