Maravi

(DAILY MAIL) Cabinet unveiled, Kunda is Veep

Cabinet unveiled, Kunda is Veep
By PAULINE BANDA

PRESIDENT Banda yesterday appointed George Kunda as Vice President. Mr Kunda will double as Minister of Justice, a position he held in the last administration.

Mr Banda also dropped five cabinet ministers, Mr Ng’andu Magande for Finance and National Planning and Ms Sylvia Masebo who was in charge of Local government and housing. Others are Presidential Affairs Minister, Cecil Holmes, Minister of Agriculture, Ben Kapita and Minister of Gender, Patricia Mulasikwanda.

He announced the changes yesterday at his first State House press conference since winning the October 30 presidential election.

Mr Banda demanded nothing short of high performance from his new team.

He said he was anxious to improve the economy and reduce poverty.

“The current global economic crisis means we have to double our efforts. I want a team which will spare no effort in working for the people of Zambia,” Mr Banda said.

Eminent economist and former University of Zambia don Situmbeko Musokotwane is the new Minister of Finance while Ms Masebo has been replaced by her former deputy, Ben Tetamashimba.

Mr Kunda, who is Muchinga MMD Member of Parliament, is no stranger to doubles.

In the Levy Mwanawasa administration, he once served as Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General.

Veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga is back as chief whip in the National Assembly. Mr Banda has re-nominated Mr Mwaanga to Parliament.

Mr Mwaanga’s last appointment was Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, a position he held until President Mwanawasa fired him.

Cabinet only has a few new faces so far. Some have maintained their jobs and others have moved to new portfolios.

Dr Musokotwane was until yesterday, presidential economic advisor. Before then, he was Deputy secretary to the cabinet.

The new minister of Mines Maxwell Mwale was previously deputy minister while Austin Liato has also been elevated to Cabinet minister in charge of Labour.

Mr Banda has three women in his cabinet, down from five in the last Cabinet.

He maintained Dora Siliya as Minister of Transport and Communications and Sarah Sayifwanda moves back to her initial position of Minister of Gender and Women in Development.

Ms Sayifwanda was until yesterday, co-minister at Agriculture and Cooperatives. She was with Mr Ben Kapita who has been dropped.

Catherine Namugala has swapped cabinet posts with Michael Kaingu. She moves to Tourism and Natural Resources and Mr Kaingu takes over from her at Community Development and Social Services.

Some big guns have remained in cabinet. Notable among them are Minister of Defence George Mpombo, who keeps his position, Dr Kalombo Mwansa who moves from Mines to Home Affairs. Kabinga Pande continues at Foreign Affairs while Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Felix Mutati remains in his seat.

Former Minister of Home Affairs Ronnie Shikapwasha moves to Information while former Minister of Health Brigadier-General Brian Chituwo goes to Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Former Works and Supply Minister Kapembwa Simbao goes to health. Dr Simbao has been replaced by former Information Minister Mike Mulongoti.

Peter Daka maintains his ministerial position at Science and Technology, so does Kenneth Konga at Ministry of Energy and water development.

The new Minister of Lands is Ronald Mukuma who was at Labour.

Bradford Machila is still in Cabinet but it was not clear by yesterday which portfolio he would hold.
The new Minister of Sports is Kenneth Chipungu who takes over from Gabriel Namulambe. Mr Namulambe is now presidential affairs minister.

At Education, Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa has bounced back.

At deputy minister level, notable among the new faces are former National Airports Corporation (NAC) Chief Executive Chileshe Kapwepwe who becomes deputy minister of Finance.

The team of deputy ministers includes Eustackio Kazonga (defence), David Phiri and Misheck Bonshe (Home Affairs), Mubika Mubika (Transport and communications), Chrispin Musosha (Local Government and Housing), Daniel Kalenga and Albert Mulonga (Agriculture).

Others are Mwendoi Akakandelwa (Health), Gladys Nundwe

and Lameck Chibombamilimo (Energy), Clement
Sinyinda (Commerce), Jonas Shakafuswa (Science
and Technology), Stewart Chilembo (Justice), Lucy
Changwe (Gender and women in development), Vera
Chiluba and Mubita Mwangala (Tourism).

The deputy minister of Mines is Boniface Nkhata. Angela Cifire while Dr Kalila, a nominated MP from the Copperbelt will be deputy minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development.

At Community Development and Social Services, the deputy ministers are John Chinyanta and Friday Malwa.

At provincial level, the ministers are Lameck Mangani (Lusaka), Daniel Munkombwe (Southern), Charles Shawa (Northern), Joseph Mulyata (North Western) and Dr Boniface Kawimbe (Luapula ).

Others are Ackimson Banda (Central), Isaac Banda (Eastern), Mwansa Mbulakulima (Copperbelt) and Adons Mufalali (Western).

Mr Banda also maintained the Defence Chiefs but retired Inspector general of Police Ephraim Mateyo. Commissioner of Police, Francis Kabonde will act as Inspector General of Police. The former
police chief will go into diplomatic service.

Dr Joshua Kanganja has maintained his position as secretary to the cabinet.

Mr Banda warned that the new cabinet should be ready to work hard and move the country forward. He said most of the appointees were well trained and others even “uniquely qualified” for their new jobs.

Deputy ministers dropped are Mr Richard Taima for sports and Grace Njapau who was at Home Affairs.

Labels: CABINET, SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE

posted by MrK @ 9:07 PM