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Key ‘coup’ leaders appointed to Zimbabwe Cabinet (Lead)
Harare, Dec 1 (IANS) Zimbabwe’s new President Emmerson Mnangagwa unveiled a new Cabinet on Friday in which two senior military officials who played a central role in bringing him to power were given key jobs.
Sibusiso Moyo, the Army officer who went on state TV on November 15 to announce the military’s takeover of power, was appointed Foreign Minister. Air Force commander Perrance Shiri was made the new Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, CNN reported.
Shiri is notorious for having led the military operation against opponents of Mugabe in Matabeleland in the early 1980s. The operation resulted in the killing of an estimated 20,000 civilians.
Zimbabwe’s long-time ruler Robert Mugabe stepped down a week after the military’s move, allowing his erstwhile Vice President Mnangagwa to return from hiding out in South Africa to pick up the reins as interim President a week ago.
The 22 members of the Cabinet are all members of the ruling Zanu PF party, dashing Zimbaweans’ hopes that Mnangagwa might include opposition representatives in his government.
The 75-year-old had promised in his inauguration speech last Friday to reach out to the opposition and also pledged sweeping reforms and a crackdown on rampant corruption.
Chris Mutsvangwa, who heads the group, was made in charge at the Information Ministry. Leaders of the powerful war veterans’ association, who pushed for Mugabe to go after the military intervention, also got Cabinet jobs, the BBC reported.
The Cabinet appointments take immediate effect, said an Information Ministry official. Following the announcement, many Zimbabweans took to social media to vent their anger and disappointment.
“Up until now, we had given the coup the benefit of the doubt. We did so in the genuine, perhaps naive view that the country could actually move forward. We craved for change, peace and stability… How wrong we were,” wrote Tendai Biti, Zimbabwe’s former Finance Minister and a key government critic.
Zimbabwean media mogul Trevor Ncube tweeted: “President Mnangagwa’s Cabinet is very disappointing. Largely the same people that caused this crisis have been recycled. The honeymoon comes to an end and reality dawns.”
Mnangagwa, who promised a “leaner” Cabinet after taking power, has fewer ministers than in Mugabe’s last government.
Patrick Chinamasa was brought back as Finance and Economic Development Minister, a post he previously held under Mugabe.
Mnangagwa also appointed six new deputy ministers and 10 ministers of state for provincial affairs. He is yet to appoint two Vice Presidents, which Zimbabwe’s Constitution allows a sitting President to do.
Mugabe’s former allies in the G40 faction which opposed Mnangagwa were dropped from the Cabinet.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.