Lovemore Matuke’s rise to National Security Minist...

Lovemore Matuke’s rise to National Security Ministry

2013 - Elected Gutu Central MP

• 2013 suspended as Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chairman together with provincial secretary for administration Edmund Mhere for endorsing Bikita West MP Munyaradzi Kereke’s nomination papers ahead of the ruling party’s preferred candidate Elias Musakwa. Bounced back after the expulsion of former Vice-President Joice Mujuru and over 100 members of her faction.

• 2015- Appointed Chief Whip to replace Jorum Gumbo who had moved to Transport Ministry

• 2017 - Accused of opposing Paul Chimedza’s appointment as the provincial affairs Minister for Masvingo province after the death of Shuvai Mahofa. Masvingo party leaders and the provincial coordinating committee resolve to dismiss Matuke from the party on allegations of undermining the authority of the President and insulting his wife Grace Mugabe.

• 2017- As Chief Whip announces that Mnangagwa would replace Mugabe as Zanu leader and therefore President of Zimbabwe

• 2018- Appointed Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare

• 2023- Appointed The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet

• 19 November 2024 - Appointed Minister of National Security

Zim Now Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Senator Lovemore Matuke as the Minister of State for National Security.

The post has been vacant for more than two years since the firing of Owen “Mudha” Ncube in January 2022.

The announcement, effective immediately, addresses concerns about the absence of a dedicated minister to oversee the country’s intelligence apparatus.

This decision follows weeks of criticism regarding a perceived delay in appointing a National Security Minister, with legal experts and opposition leaders questioning its constitutional compliance. The government cited Section 104(1) and Section 225 of the Constitution, which empower the President

Lovemore Matuke has had a long-standing political career within ZANU-PF and close ties to Mnangagwa. Before his recent appointment, Matuke served as the Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. In December 2017, he was named the Secretary for National Security in ZANU-PF.

Matuke previously represented Gutu Central as a Member of Parliament before becoming a ZANU-PF Senator for Harare East in 2020. Within the party, he held key roles, including serving as Chief Whip in Parliament after being endorsed by the ZANU-PF politburo in 2015. Additionally, Matuke chaired the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy, Mines, and Power Development.

His political alignment with Mnangagwa has been evident in his active support for constitutional amendments aimed at extending the President’s tenure to 2030, aligning with ZANU-PF’s broader political strategy.