The Government of National Unity was the coalition government of Zimbabwe formed following the signing of the Global Political Agreement, which took effect on 11 February 2009. The discussions followed the 2008 general election, which had seen widespread violence and intimidation, and the MDC-T win a majority of seats in Parliament. President Robert Mugabe remained in office as President, while Morgan Tsvangirai was appointed Prime Minister - a post which had been abolished in 1987. The new ministers were sworn in on 11 February 2009, while deputies were sworn in on 20 February 2009.
History The GNU was established under the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 19) Act, 2009, enacted on 13 February 2009. This amendment modified the executive structure to create the office of prime minister and allocate powers between the president, prime minister, and cabinet. It also required that ministers be members of Parliament, either in the House of Assembly or Senate, to ensure accountability to the legislature.
This constitutional requirement led to the removal of Gibson Sibanda, a senior MDC–M figure initially appointed as Minister of State in the Deputy Prime Minister's office. Sibanda failed to secure a parliamentary seat in the 2008 elections and was not given one of the MDC-M appointed seats in Parliament, highlighting the strict application of the rule.
The GNU cabinet initially comprised 31 ministers (later adjusted in practice), with portfolios apportioned among the three parties to reflect their electoral strengths and the GPA terms. ZANU–PF received 15 ministries, including key portfolios such as Defence, Home Affairs (shared with MDC–T), Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Media. MDC–T held 13 ministries, including Finance, ICT, Health, and Energy. MDC–M received 3 ministries, such as Education, Industry and Commerce and Regional Integration.
The apportionment ensured representation but led to tensions over control of powerful ministries. Appointments were negotiated and announced by President Mugabe, with the prime minister chairing the Council of Ministers.
In June 2010, Prime Minister Tsvangirai reshuffled MDC–T ministers, replacing several in his party's portfolios, including those for Energy and Housing. This was the only internal reshuffle during the GNU.
The GNU ended following the 31 July 2013 general elections, in which ZANU–PF secured a two-thirds majority in parliament. The 2013 Constitution abolished the prime minister's office, restoring an executive presidency. Under the Constitution, Cabinet ministers retained their posts even after the dissolution of Parliament, until the newly elected President was sworn in, which occurred when Mugabe was sworn in on 22 August 2013. The period saw economic stabilisation through dollarisation and growth averaging around 10% annually, though political tensions persisted.
Cabinets 11 February 200923 June 2010 + First Cabinet of the GNU Portfolio Portrait Party Minister Term Cabinet ministers ZANU-PF Robert Mugabe19872017 First Vice-President of Zimbabwe ZANU-PF Joice Mujuru20042014 Second Vice-President of Zimbabwe ZANU-PF Joseph Msika19992009† ZANU-PF John Nkomo20092013† Prime Minister MDC-T Morgan Tsvangirai 20092013 Deputy Prime Minister MDC-T Thokozani Khupe 20092013 Deputy Prime Minister MDC-M Arthur Mutambara 20092013 ZANU-PF Joseph Made20092017 MDC-T Eric Matinenga20092013 ZANU-PF Emmerson Mnangagwa 20092013 MDC-T Elton Mangoma20092010 MDC-M David Coltart20092013 MDC-T Elias Mudzuri20092010 ZANU-PF Francis Nhema20092013 MDC-T Tendai Biti20092013 ZANU-PF Simbarashe Mumbengegwi20052017 MDC-T Henry Madzorera20092013 ZANU-PF Stan Mudenge20092012† ZANU-PF Kembo Mohadi20092015 MDC-T Giles Mutsekwa20092010 MDC-T Fidelis Mhashu20092010 MDC-M Welshman Ncube20092013 MDC-T Nelson Chamisa20092013 ZANU-PF Patrick Chinamasa20092013 MDC-T Paurina Gwanyanya20092013 ZANU-PF Herbert Murerwa20092013 ZANU-PF Ignatius Chombo20092015 ZANU-PF Webster Shamu20092013 ZANU-PF Obert Mpofu20092013 MDC-T Eliphas Mukonoweshuro20092013 MDC-T Theresa Makone20092010 MDC-M Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga20092013 MDC-T Heneri Dzinotyiweyi20092013 ZANU-PF Sithembiso Nyoni20092017 MDC-T Joel Gabuza Gabbuza20092010 ZANU-PF Walter Mzembi20092017 ZANU-PF Nicholas Goche20092013 MDC-T Samuel Sipepa Nkomo20092013 ZANU-PF Olivia Muchena20092013 ZANU-PF Saviour Kasukuwere20092013
23 June 201022 August 2013 + Second Cabinet of the GNU Portfolio Portrait Party Minister Term Cabinet ministers ZANU-PF Robert Mugabe19872017 First Vice-President of Zimbabwe ZANU-PF Joice Mujuru20042014 Second Vice-President of Zimbabwe ZANU-PF John Nkomo20092013† Prime Minister MDC-T Morgan Tsvangirai 20092013 Deputy Prime Minister MDC-T Thokozani Khupe 20092013 Deputy Prime Minister MDC-M Arthur Mutambara 20092013 ZANU-PF Joseph Made20092017 MDC-T Eric Matinenga20092013 ZANU-PF Emmerson Mnangagwa 20092013 MDC-T Tapiwa Mashakada20102013 MDC-M David Coltart20092013 MDC-T Elton Mangoma20102013 ZANU-PF Francis Nhema20092013 MDC-T Tendai Biti20092013 ZANU-PF Simbarashe Mumbengegwi20052017 MDC-T Henry Madzorera20092013 ZANU-PF Stan Mudenge20092012† ZANU-PF Kembo Mohadi20092015 MDC-T Theresa Makone20102013 MDC-T Giles Mutsekwa20102013 MDC-M Welshman Ncube20092013 MDC-T Nelson Chamisa20092013 ZANU-PF Patrick Chinamasa20092013 MDC-T Paurina Gwanyanya20092013 ZANU-PF Herbert Murerwa20092013 ZANU-PF Ignatius Chombo20092015 ZANU-PF Webster Shamu20092013 ZANU-PF Obert Mpofu20092013 MDC-T Eliphas Mukonoweshuro20092013 MDC-T Joel Gabuza Gabbuza20102013 MDC-M Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga20092013 MDC-T Heneri Dzinotyiweyi20092013 ZANU-PF Sithembiso Nyoni20092017 MDC-T Gorden Moyo20102013 ZANU-PF Walter Mzembi20092017 ZANU-PF Nicholas Goche20092013 MDC-T Samuel Sipepa Nkomo20092013 ZANU-PF Olivia Muchena20092013 ZANU-PF Saviour Kasukuwere20092013
List of ministers ZANU-PFMDC-TMDC-MCabinet ministers are listed in bold while deputies are not The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) The Office of the President and Cabinet PostMinisterTerm Robert Mugabe31 December 198721 November 2017First Vice-President of Zimbabwe Joice Mujuru6 December 20048 December 2014Second Vice-President of Zimbabwe Joseph Msika23 December 19994 August 2009† John Nkomo13 December 200917 January 2013† Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda 5 May 200326 September 2023 Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Didymus Mutasa 11 February 200922 August 2013 Minister of State for National Security in the President’s Office Sydney Sekeramayi 11 February 200922 August 2013 Minister of State in Vice President Mujuru’s Office Sylvester Robert Nguni 20 February 200922 December 2014 Minister of State in Vice President Msika’s Office Flora Buka 20 February 20094 August 2009 Minister of State in Vice President Nkomo’s Office13 December 200917 January 2013 Minister of State in the President's Office John Nkomo 20 February 200913 December 2009
The Office of the Prime Minister The Office of the Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai11 February 200922 August 2013 Thokozani Khupe11 February 200922 August 2013 Arthur Mutambara11 February 200922 August 2013 Gorden Moyo11 February 200923 June 2010 Jameson Timba23 June 201022 August 2013 Sekai Masikana Holland20 February 200922 August 2013 Gibson Sibanda20 February 200919 May 2009
Departments of state Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Joseph Made11 February 200921 November 2017 Roy BennettNever sworn in
Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Eric Matinenga11 February 200922 August 2013
Defence Emmerson Mnangagwa11 February 200922 August 2013
Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Elton Mangoma11 February 200923 June 2010 Tapiwa Mashakada23 June 201022 August 2013 Samuel Undenge20 February 200912 December 2014
Education, Sport, Art and Culture David Coltart11 February 200922 August 2013 Lazarus Dokora20 February 200922 August 2013
Energy and Power Development Elias Mudzuri11 February 200923 June 2010 Elton Mangoma23 June 201022 August 2013 Hubert Nyanhongo20 February 200922 August 2013
Environment and Natural Resources Management Francis Nhema11 February 200922 August 2013
Finance Tendai Biti11 February 200922 August 2013
Foreign Affairs Simbarashe Mumbengegwi15 April 20059 October 2017 Moses Mzila Ndlovu20 February 200922 August 2013
Health and Child Welfare Henry Madzorera11 February 200922 August 2013 Douglas Tendai Mombeshora20 February 200922 August 2013
Higher and Tertiary Education Stan Mudenge11 February 20094 October 2012† Lutho Addington Tapela20 February 200922 August 2013
Home Affairs Kembo Mohadi11 February 20096 July 2015 Giles Mutsekwa11 February 200923 June 2010 Theresa Makone23 June 201022 August 2013
Housing and Social Amenities Fidelis Mhashu11 February 200923 June 2010 Giles Mutsekwa23 June 201022 August 2013
Industry and Commerce Welshman Ncube11 February 200922 August 2013 Michael Chakanaka Bimha20 February 200922 August 2013
Information Communication Technology Nelson Chamisa11 February 200922 August 2013
Justice and Legal Affairs Patrick Chinamasa11 February 200922 August 2013 Jessie Fungai Majome20 February 200923 June 2010 Obert Gutu23 June 201022 August 2013
Labour and Social Welfare Paurina Gwanyanya11 February 200922 August 2013 Tracy Mutinhiri20 February 200922 August 2013
Lands and Rural Resettlement Herbert Murerwa11 February 200922 August 2013
Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Ignatius Chombo11 February 20096 July 2015 Sesel Zvidzai20 February 200922 August 2013
Media, Information and Publicity Webster Shamu11 February 200922 August 2013 Jameson Zvidzai Timba20 February 200923 June 2010 Murisi Zwizwai23 June 201022 August 2013
Mines and Mining Development Obert Mpofu11 February 200922 August 2013 Murisi Zwizwai20 February 200923 June 2010 Gift Chimanikire23 June 201022 August 2013
Public Service Eliphas Mukonoweshuro11 February 200922 August 2013 Andrew Langa20 February 200922 August 2013
Public Works Theresa Makone11 February 200923 June 2010 Joel Gabuza Gabbuza23 June 201022 August 2013 Aguy Georgias20 February 200922 August 2013
Regional Integration and International Co-operation Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga11 February 200922 August 2013 Reuben Marumahoko20 February 200922 August 2013
Science and Technology Heneri Dzinotyiweyi11 February 200922 August 2013
Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development Sithembiso Nyoni11 February 200921 November 2017
State Enterprises and Parastatals Joel Gabuza Gabbuza11 February 200923 June 2010 Gorden Moyo23 June 201022 August 2013 Walter Kufakunesu Chidhakwa20 February 200922 August 2013
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Walter Mzembi11 February 20099 October 2017
Transport and Infrastructural Development Nicholas Goche11 February 200922 August 2013 Tichaona Mudzingwa20 February 200922 August 2013
Water Resources and Development Samuel Sipepa Nkomo11 February 200922 August 2013
Women's Affairs, Gender and Community Development Olivia Muchena11 February 200922 August 2013 Evelyn Pfugamai Masaiti20 February 200923 June 2010 Jessie Fungai Majome23 June 201022 August 2013
Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Saviour Kasukuwere11 February 200922 August 2013 Thamsanqa Mahlangu20 February 200923 June 2010 Tongai Matutu23 June 201022 August 2013
Provincial Governors
Provincial Governors Cain Mathema10 February 200428 June 2013 David Ishemunyoro Karimanzira15 April 200524 March 2011† Christopher Mushohwe25 August 200828 June 2013 Martin Dinha25 August 200828 June 2013 Aeneas Chigwedere25 August 200828 June 2013 Faber Chidarikire24 August 200828 June 2013 Titus Maluleke25 August 200828 June 2013 Thokozile Mathuthu15 April 200528 June 2013 Angeline Masuku1 December 200328 June 2013 Jaison Machaya 25 August 200828 June 2013
Notes
References