Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Aaron Nhepera and Dr Gerald Gwinji to be permanent secretaries in the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage respectively.

In a statement yesterday, the acting Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Rushwaya said that the appointments were in terms of Section 205 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

“His Excellency the President has, in terms of Section 205 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe No. 20 of (2023), as amended, approved the appointment of the following senior officers as Permanent Secretaries, Mr Aaron Tonde Nhepera-Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, and Dr Gerald Gwinji-Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage,” said Dr Rushwaya.

According to Dr Rushwaya, Nhepera would replace Ambassador Mark Marongwe in the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans` Affairs when the later retires on 31 December 2022. Prior to being Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Nhepera had served as Deputy Director General in the President`s Department.

Dr Rushwaya further said that Dr Gwinji would serve as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage following the transfer of Nhepera to the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs.

Dr Rushwaya highlighted that Dr Gwinji served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare until he was transferred to the Office of the President and Cabinet as Head of the Secretariat on Harmonization and Standardization of Public Sector Remuneration.

Meanwhile, the appointment of Nhepera and Dr Gwinji was with effect from 1 January 2023.