The public spat between Foreign Affairs minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and his deputy Chris Mutsvangwa throws some bit of light into President Robert Mugabe’s leadership qualities.
Mutsvangwa has gone public for the second time about his strained working relationship with Mumbengegwi after he was left out of a delegation to accompany Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa on a working visit to China. Zimbabwe’s former ambassador to China feels sidelined and undermined by the minister.
The first time the two clashed, Mutsvangwa accused Mumbengegwi of bungling First Lady Grace Mugabe’s visa application to Belgium early this year.
Mugabe had to boycott the Africa-European Union summit in Brussels after his wife failed to obtain a visa.
Mutsvangwa was of the opinion that the government should never have taken the risk of applying for the visa when in it was clear that it would not be granted. He lashed out at the minister saying he was not experienced in diplomacy.
Such clashes were common during the existence of the inclusive government where delivery suffered as a result of petty fights between political parties.
Mugabe got away with presiding over a dysfunctional government because the rivalry between the three political parties was known.
However, Zanu PF is now ruling alone and Mugabe can no longer afford to have discordant lieutenants in his government, especially in such a crucial ministry as Foreign Affairs.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
It is a sign of failure that he has not dealt with the fallout between the two ministers up to now as the captain of the ship.
The public spat shows that the relationship between the minister and his deputy has retrievably broken down.
Mugabe should be the first person to know that because he should be constantly briefed about the performance of his ministers.
If he was an effective leader he would have intervened the first time the fight between Mutsvangwa and Mumbengegwi became public knowledge.
It is disturbing that ministers would be allowed to wash their dirty linen in public like they are doing.
