Cape Town - Zimbabweans have taken to social media to mock and express disappointment at President Emmerson Mnangagwa's newly appointed cabinet filled with ruling party loyalists and figures linked to the military, whose takeover helped oust former leader Robert Mugabe.
No opposition politicians were included in Mnangagwa's first cabinet.
Some on social media were quick to point out that the new cabinet lacked gender parity, adding that ex-president Mugabe fared better than the new leader in this regard.
Others were disappointed over Mnangagwa's lack of inclusion of young people, as his cabinet was made up of Zanu-PF stalwarts who were reportedly above 60 years.
See the tweets below
Mnangagwa appointed as foreign affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo, the army major general who went on state television announcing the military's take-over, a dramatic power grab which culminated in Mugabe stepping down a week later.
The long-serving airforce commander Perence Shiri also became the Lands and Agriculture minister, according to a statement released late Thursday night.
Mnangagwa, however, kept a sizeable number of ministers from Mugabe's former cabinet - including Patrick Chinamasa who returns to the finance ministry from which he had been removed by Mugabe during a cabinet reshuffle in October.
War veteran leaders, who spearheaded mass protests to force Mugabe out of office, four days after the military sent tanks to the streets of the capital Harare, were also awarded positions in the cabinet.
Chris Mutsvangwa was now the information minister while another became a deputy in the defence and security ministry.
So we have a new cabinet in office in Zimbabwe and here is how it looks like pic.twitter.com/RCDYAWBpyx
— George Kufa (@GEORGEKUFA) December 1, 2017
This is what happened in #Zimbabwe today. The new cabinet by #Mnangagwa is worrisome. #Zimbabwe #RegisterToVote #zim2018 pic.twitter.com/juYL948Emb
— Reason M. Runyanga (@rm_runyanga) November 30, 2017
#Zimbabwe After this cabinet appointment, #Mnangagwa and #Mugabe???? pic.twitter.com/cXOVynT0sA
— ED (@ED_Josp) November 30, 2017
Zimbabwe's new cabinet explained in a photo! pic.twitter.com/L8NHQNZeha
— Dr Nikuv Riggington (@NikuvRiggington) December 1, 2017
Another striking flaw of Pres.Ed's Cabinet is the lack of gender balance. It is ridiculously male dominated with 3/22 being women . Our Constitution implores gender balance at all levels of government. Mr. Mugabe's cabinets achieved better in this regard#CabinetZW #Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/0NOeUer9J0
— Paul Kaseke Snr (@paulkasekesnr) December 1, 2017
Barber: What will it be cuz?
— Ryan Cummings (@Pol_Sec_Analyst) December 1, 2017
Ozil: Gimme a line graph showing Zimbabwe's progress toward democratization since Mugabe's resignation
Barber: Got ya fam pic.twitter.com/iujtfOIIKP
Zimbabweans Checking and Scrutinizing the new cabinet like. Has anything changed between Gushungo & Ngwena New Cabinet #ThisFlag #Zimbabwe #MnangagwaCabinet #Mnangagwa #Mugabe @matigary @ali_naka @Wamagaisa @TrevorNcube @Trends_SADC #Zimbabweans pic.twitter.com/iOf8tfxXgP
— #ZimbabweanDream (@nguvayakwana) December 1, 2017
I was expecting to see progressive people like @fortunechasi in this new cabinet. But inenge cabinet yema homeboy. Chi reunion chekuhondo like
— Cde Zimbabwe Yakaora (@butler_263) December 1, 2017
Breaking: #Mnangagwa includes Military generals who spearheaded the coup against #Mugabe in new cabinet - Air Marshall Perence Shiri & Maj. Gen. SB Moyo who announced the coup. #Zimbabwe military state? pic.twitter.com/DNUqruynW3
Zimbabwe is officially a MILITARY state! Biggest winners in Mnangagwa's new government is the ARMY. Biggest losers are the PEOPLE of Zimbabwe. How are we supposed to have faith in a bunch of recycled garbage that's responsible for running down our economy in the first place?
— Ntungamili Nkomo (@ntungab) November 30, 2017
I am reminded of the feeling one has climbing dwalas in the #Matopos. You think you have got to the summit, but it is false, and there is another climb ahead. Keep climbing #Zimbabwe - we are getting close to the summit and the view is wonderful from up there.
— David Coltart (@DavidColtart) December 1, 2017
#Zimbabwe new minister of foreign affairs.
— Joe Black ???? (@joeblackzw) November 30, 2017
But shush, it’s not a coup.
???????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/iQHhylRXuH
If Florence Ziyambi is still the Deputy Prosecutor General of Zimbabwe then her husband , Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi will be her boss since he's the Minister of Justice .
— Paul Kaseke Snr (@paulkasekesnr) December 1, 2017
Oh and the average age of new cabinet seems to be roughly 68. Same old issues we struggled with.#CabinetZW
President Mnangagwa’s Cabinet is very disappointing. Largely the same people that caused this crisis have been recycled. The honey moon comes to an end and reality dawns. His concern seems to have been rewarding those who brought him to power and Zanu-PF unity. #Zimbabwe ???? pic.twitter.com/pGDz5t9EAH
— Trevor Ncube (@TrevorNcube) December 1, 2017
President ED Mnangagwa betrayed the masses who poured out into the streets in his support by his ‘new’ cabinet. Recycling the old and tired ‘Cdes’ from Mugabe era, plus his army buddies. For all activists, Aluta continua ??????@povozim@Tajamuka
— laswet savadye (@mclaswet) December 1, 2017
Cry Zimbabwe Cry ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/YHT76yOcPP
Pictorial representation of the new #ZimCabinet in #Zimbabwe: pic.twitter.com/b2qE4Bhq3Z
— Okang Ashiwel Ochui (@hey_ashiwel) December 1, 2017
Sadly, those that were expecting steak/beef with bones, ED has just served us with matumbu nemakuru (cow intestines).#MnangagwaCabinet
— ((#SaveZim????)) (@Save_Our_Zim) December 1, 2017
Situation in my DMS #MnangagwaCabinet pic.twitter.com/S3Ak0exyGd
— African (@ali_naka) December 1, 2017
Some Twitter activists from Zimbabwe are hurt by the #MnangagwaCabinet. They thought Mnangagwa will recognize them for their tweets. pic.twitter.com/wRmvJOCDF7
— Olwethu Sipuka (@osipuka) December 1, 2017
Mnangagwa has announce the #MnangagwaCabinet and Zimbabwean Twitter activists have now removed him or Chiwenga as their avi. pic.twitter.com/DrE8odZqJO
— Olwethu Sipuka (@osipuka) December 1, 2017
Pres Mnangagwa’s “New” Minister of Youth is 68 years Old #MnangagwaCabinet
— Ryan Mucilih Samir© (@Ryan_Mucilih) December 1, 2017
Wue! Youth Empowerment! pic.twitter.com/E8E2b6Lxmk
