ZANU PF Senator for Gutu and former Deputy Minister of Youth, Gender and Women Affairs, Shuvai Ben Mahofa, is tipped to replace fired Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti in an impending Cabinet reshuffle if remarks by First Lady Grace Mugabe late last year are anything to go by.
By Tatenda Chitagu
Bhasikiti was fired last week over his alleged association with axed former Vice-President Joice Mujuru.
Sources said the Masvingo “Iron Lady” was now tipped to bounce back into government after winning Grace’s favour. Mahofa rejoined Parliament through proportional representation in 2013.
Grace last year told party members during her rally at Mucheke Stadium that Mahofa was her role model.
“ . . . itai sana Mai Mahofa ava, (be like Mahofa), she is my role model,” Grace said, while castigating the Mujuru faction leaders in Masvingo at the rally, much to the applause of the capacity crowd.
After the rally, Grace ignored Bhasikiti and then Zanu PF provincial chairman Killian Gwanetsa and nominated Mahofa to distribute the farming inputs she donated to the province.
“Of late, she (Mahofa) has caught the attention of the First Family because she supported Grace at the Women’s League when she was the secretary for security in the organ,” a top source in the party said. Acting provincial chair Paradzai Chakona said: “Well, I cannot comment on that as the President is the one who decides on appointments. That is his prerogative, not mine.”
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Another source said Mugabe always had a soft spot for Mahofa, who, like many in Zanu PF, has been sucked in many scandals over the years, but always landed influential posts.
Bhasikiti was fired from government last week for reportedly siding with the Mujuru faction, which was accused of planning to wrest power from Mugabe through unconstitutional means.
