In a sudden move, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has fired Hon. Roy Bhila from his duties as the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, sending shockwaves through the political landscape.
A statement issued by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya, announced the abrupt decision, stating:
“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. Emmerson D. Mnangagwa has, in terms of Section 108(1a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, removed Hon. Roy Bhila from the Office of Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce with immediate effect.”
The dismissal of Hon. Roy Bhila comes as a surprise to many, considering he assumed office just three months ago. The lack of specified reasons for this sudden move adds an air of mystery to the development.
In the August elections, Bhila was re-appointed as Chiredzi North MP after defeating Fungai Chamisa of the CCC. The following month, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce by the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa.
With no explicit reasons provided for the dismissal, speculations about the motives behind President Mnangagwa’s decision are already circulating. The sudden move raises questions about the nature of the Deputy Minister’s actions or potential internal political dynamics.
The axed Deputy Minister has been in the spotlight and headlines for various reasons. A number of them were controversial and corruption allegations. In 2021, a leaked phone call audio revealed that Bhila interfered in the tender awarding process.
He was heard on the call ordering a transport tender awarded to Sasavona Logistics to be cancelled. Innocent Gukwe, on the other end of the line, tried to reason that Cottco does not discriminate in awarding people tenders because of political parties. However, the tender was cancelled after Gukwe was threatened with losing his job.
Source iHarare
