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In a significant cabinet reshuffle, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Senator Lovemore Matuke as the new Minister of State for National Security. This appointment, effective immediately, was announced by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya, who stated:

“In terms of Section 104 Subsection (1) as read with Section 225 of the Constitution, His Excellency the President, Cde. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has appointed Honourable Lovemore Matuke, Senator, as the Minister of State for National Security with immediate effect.”

Senator Matuke, aged 61, succeeds Owen “Mudha” Ncube, a close ally of President Mnangagwa from the Midlands region, who was removed from the position in 2022 for conduct deemed inappropriate for a government minister.

Political Trajectory and Experience

Lovemore Matuke’s political career is marked by a series of significant roles within the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF) and the government:

• Provincial Leadership: He served as the ZANU–PF Masvingo provincial chairman and was the Member of Parliament for Gutu Central.

• Senatorial Role: In 2020, Matuke became the ZANU–PF senator for Harare East.

• Deputy Ministerial Position: He held the position of Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.