Zimbabwe s ex-Army chief appointed ruling party s vice president

Harare Dec 23 (IANS) Zimbabwe s former army chief General Constantino Chiwenga who led a coup that ended Robert Mugabe s 37-year rule was on Saturday appointed vice president and second secretary of the ruling Zanu-PF party the presidency said.

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba said in a statement that Chiwenga who retired from the military last week and state security minister Kembo Mohadi were appointed as President Emmerson Mnangagwa s deputies in the ruling party "with immediate effect".

Mohadi belongs to the old PF-Zapu which was led by late Vice President Joshua Nkomo who signed a unity accord with then President Mugabe s Zanu-PF to form the united Zanu-PF Xinhua news agency reported.

The two s appointments pave the way for them to be appointed the country s vice presidents.

--IANS
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