MANICALAND Provincial Affairs minister Mandi Chimene has confessed that her appointment by President Robert Mugabe early this year came as a surprise as she believes she does not have the requisite qualifications for such a lofty government post.
BY KENNETH NYANGANI
The outspoken minister made the remarks in Mutare last Friday at a party to celebrate her appointment. The celebrations coincided with her belated birthday.
“His Excellency President Mugabe did not tell me that he was going to appoint me. When it was announced I cried as I did not expect it,” Chimene said.
“I never thought I qualified or I deserved the post and today it is another surprise. I never thought that the people of Manicaland would come together and think of this big surprise. If you think I have done anything this year since my appointment, I haven’t started. I am still testing the ground and there are hard times to come because of work we are going to be engaged in.”
Chimene took a swipe at Indian businessmen in Mutare who she accused of failing to renovate their business premises.
“I want Manicaland, especially Mutare, to be a place with a difference. We need infrastructure development,” Chimene said.
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“We don’t want people to stay overcrowded as what we are used to, so let us build our province. And Indians operating in the city (Mutare) should not rejoice in staying in those old buildings. I believe they need to address this issue.”
She recently threatened to shut down all Indian businesses in the province, accusing the Asians of snubbing her various business meetings since her appointment this year.
She gave them a five-day ultimatum to meet her or risk closure of their businesses.
The Indians, however, responded swiftly by meeting the outspoken minister.
