The government of Zimbabwe Rhodesia took office on 1 June 1979, after an election held in April that year under the terms of the Internal Settlement negotiated between the government of Rhodesia and moderate African nationalists. This government ran the country from its capital, Salisbury (later renamed Harare in 1982). It ruled the internationally unrecognized country until, under the terms of the Lancaster House Agreement, control was turned over to Lord Soames as the Governor of Southern Rhodesia on 12 December 1979.
The government attempted to include all parties represented in the House of Assembly following the general election, although the Zimbabwe African National Union of Rev Ndabaningi Sithole initially refused to take up their seats.
Executive Council Party key Rhodesian Front United African National Council United National Federal Party Zimbabwe African National Union – Ndonga Portfolio Minister Term Prime MinisterAbel Muzorewa1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Combined Operations Minister of Defence Deputy Prime MinisterSilas Mundawarara1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Information, Immigration and Tourism Acting Minister of Health 1 June 1979 – 15 August 1979 Minister of Agriculture William Irvine 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Commerce and Industry Ernest Bulle 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Education Edward Mazaiwana 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Finance David Smith 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Foreign Affairs David Mukome 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Health David Zamchiya 15 August 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Home Affairs Herbert Zimuto 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of JusticeChris Andersen 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Acting Minister of Roads and Road Traffic 1 June 1979 – 15 August 1979 Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Rural Development George Nyandoro 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Law and Order Francis Zindoga1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Public Service Minister of Local Government and Housing Walter Mthimkhulu 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Manpower, Social Affairs, Youth and Rehabilitation Senator Aaron Mutiti 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Mines Senator Chief Khayisa Ndiweni1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Works Minister of PostsP. K. van der Byl1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Transport and Power Minister of Roads and Road Traffic Leonard Nyemba 15 August 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister of Water Development Zephaniah Bafana 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979 Minister without Portfolio Ian Smith 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Deputy Ministers
OfficeMinisterSincePartyDeputy Minister of Information, Immigration and TourismIsmail Adam1 June 1979 – 30 September 1979IndependentDeputy Minister of Home AffairsJoshua Buwell Cohen1 June 1979 – 30 September 1979IndependentDeputy Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Rural DevelopmentRowan Cronjé1 June 1979RFDeputy Minister of AgricultureDennis Nyamuswa (acting)1 June 1979UANCEphraim Tsvaringe15 August 1979ZANUDeputy Minister of EducationPeter Mandaza1 June 1979UNFPDeputy Minister of Manpower, Social Affairs, Youth and RehabilitationDavid Murambiwa Mutasa1 June 1979UANCDeputy Minister of FinanceDennis Nyamuswa1 June 1979UANCDeputy Minister of MinesDenis Walker1 June 1979RFDeputy Minister of Works
See also Cabinet of Rhodesia Politics of Zimbabwe
References