Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE) Donors save Biti from sack

Donors save Biti from sack
by Staff Reporter
26/06/2010 00:00:00

DONORS supporting the MDC-T reportedly saved Finance Minister Tendai Biti from either being sacked or re-assigned as prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai reshuffled his cabinet ministers on Wednesday.

Media reports in Zimbabwe had also claimed President Robert Mugabe intervened on Biti’s behalf but this was dismissed outright by Mugabe’s spokesperson, George Charamba.

"It is not true, plain and simple. The President’s views on Minister Biti’s performance in Government were neither volunteered nor sought.

"That claim that was published (on Friday) can only be a creation from the finger of the journalist who penned it. It cannot be considered a position well-sourced," Chramba said.

MDC-T sources claimed Tsvangirai had planned to either axe or re-assign Biti, the party’s influential secretary general, but relented after donors allegedly threatened to stop funding the former opposition party.

The prime minister said the cabinet shake-up had been inspired by the need to strengthen the MDC-T team in government adding those sacked had failed performance audits.

High profile exits included former energy minister Elias Mudzuri and Fidelis Mhashu who was in charge of housing. Both were reassigned to party duties but did not hide their disappointment at the demotions.

"He who appoints has the right to recall you . . . but as far as I know, I have done my job professionally and I was never told that I was underperforming.
“(Again) how could I underperform when I was working without the needed material resources?" said Mudzuri.

Mhashu, who was assigned to sort out the party’s troubles in Chitungwiza, insisted poor performance had nothing to do with his dismissal.

"I was not fired because of incompetence. Being moved from a fully-fledged minister to a junior position in the party is a demotion,” he said.

The sacked ministers were replaced by officials from the prime minister’s inner circle with observers claiming the shake-up could deepen divisions within the party.

Party insiders said Tsvangirai’s loyalists were keen to have Biti and Mudzuri sidelined as they were seen as a threat to him and possible leadership contenders.

Labels: DONORS, NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT, TENDAI BITI

posted by MrK @ 1:40 AM