Zim GBC News | Political Correspondent
HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has removed Winston Chitando from his position as Cabinet Minister with immediate effect, according to an official statement released by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet on Monday.
The terse statement, signed by Dr. M. Rushwaya, cited Section 340 and Section 108 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe as the legal basis for the dismissal. No reason for the removal was provided in the official communication.
The sudden firing of the Minister, whose portfolio was not specified in the release, has sparked immediate speculation and unverified allegations across social media and political circles.
Prominent online commentator, Jealousy Mawarire, made a series of explosive claims regarding the dismissal. In a post on platform X, Mawarire alleged the Minister was fired “at the instigation of Auxillia,” a reference to First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa.
“Chitando, apparently, has been blocking Auxillia’s demands for him to authorize wanton grabbing of mining claims from citizens wherever she is alerted there are rich gold deposits,” Mawarire wrote.
He described Chitando as “a victim of trying to be professional in a vampire state,” and accused those close to power of using old documents to seize mining claims.
“Chitando was trying hard to minimize the grabbing of citizens’ gold claims by state house residents, and the result is what we witnessed today – he got fired to pave way for a pliable relative of the queen,” the post continued.
Zim GBC News cannot independently verify these allegations. The Office of the President and Cabinet has not commented beyond the constitutional notice of removal.
The development leaves a key ministerial vacancy and raises questions about the stability of the mining sector, a critical source of foreign currency for Zimbabwe.
Follow Zim GBC News for the latest updates:
· X (Twitter): @ZimGbc
·Instagram: @ZimGBCNews
·TikTok: @ZimGBCNews_01
·Facebook: Zim GBC News
·YouTube: Zim GBC News
Get real-time alerts on WhatsApp:
+263 773 820 323
For in-depth coverage, visit our website: www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
Zim GBC News | Global News From An African Perspective©2025