The politburo of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF party has named the late Information Minister Tichaona Jokonya a hero of the liberation struggle. Jokonya, found dead in his Harare hotel room on Saturday, was to be buried Friday at the National Heroes Acre.
Meanwhile, the question of who would succeed him was resolved – at least for the time being. ZANU-PF Information Secretary Nathan Shamuyarira said Anti-Corruption Minister Paul Mangwana would take up the position of acting information minister until the cabinet position could be permanently filled.
Media analyst Nhlanhla Ngwenya of the Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe told reporter Sithandekile Mhlanga of VOA’s Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that Mangwana’s appointment came as a surprise to many.