Secretary for Mines and Mining Development Thankful Musukutwa has been transferred from the ministry and replaced by Prince Mupazviriho, the current secretary for the Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment ministry.
Mupazviriho, who was until recently the Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment secretary, was also the government team leader in the civil servants’ salary negotiations.
Deputy Minister of Mines Gift Chimanikire confirmed the redeployment but downplayed the development, saying Musukutwa had not been demoted but transferred by the Public Service Commission.
“He has not been fired it’s a lateral transfer by the PSC. He has been replaced by the permanent secretary of Indigenisation and Youth Empowerment, and they are in the process of handover/takeover,” he said.
However, speculation was rife that Mupazviriho had been rewarded for successfully negotiating for a salary rise that has pacified the restive civil servants.
Chimanikire, however, said he did not know the reasons why Musukutwa was transferred, saying such transfers were authorised by the President.
“The minister can make a request, but the State President is the one with the ultimate decision. I am not aware of any clash and not privy to the reasons of the transfer because people normally keep the reasons to themselves, but I did not see any clash.” Mines minister Obert Mpofu could not be reached for comment.
