27th December, 2017
Zimbabwe’s new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has appointed Rtd Gen. Constantino Chiwenga, former army chief as one of his two vice-presidents, state-run broadcasting corporation said on Wednesday.
Mnangagwa will swear in Chiwenga and veteran politician Kembo Mohadi as vice presidents on Thursday.
Chiwenga and Mohadi were also elevated to similar positions in the ruling ZANU-PF party on Saturday.
Chiwenga retired from the military on Dec. 19.
His appointment was expected as a reward for leading a de-facto coup in November that ended Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule and brought Mnangagwa to power.
It also adds to signs of a consolidation of power for the army since it turned against the 93-year-old Mugabe.
Mnangagwa has appointed several senior military officers to his cabinet and the ruling party’s top decision-making body, the Politburo.
However, he is under pressure from opposition parties and the public to implement political reforms.