Mnangagwa fires Chitando, appoints his deputy Kambamura as new Mines Minister

Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed Winston Chitando as Minister of Mines with immediate effect, replacing him with his deputy, Polite Kambamura.

The announcement was made Monday by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Rushwaya, in a statement.

No reasons were given for Chitando’s sudden dismissal.

“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has in terms of Section 340, Subsection (1f), as read with Section 108, Subsection (1a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, removed Winston Chitando as Cabinet Minister with immediate effect,” Rushwaya said.

Rushwaya also announced Kambamura’s elevation to the post of Mines Minister. Kambamura had been serving as Deputy Minister in the same ministry.

“In terms of Section 104, Subsection 1 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has appointed Polite Kambamura as Minister of Mines and Mining Development.”

Chitando was fired while in Masvingo, where he was attending the ministry’s strategic planning workshop for 2026.

Chitando’s tenure has long been associated with murky transactions, disorderly licensing practices and a deep erosion of public confidence in the mining sector, particularly in lithium and gold. _*NewZimbabwe*_