HARARE — President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sworn in Hon. Polite Kambamura as the new Minister of Mines and Mining Development, exercising his authority under Subsection 6 of Section 104 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
By Tina Musonza
The ceremony took place at State House, where Kambamura took the full ministerial oath before assuming office.
Kambamura replaces Winston Chitando, who was abruptly dismissed earlier this week amid mounting allegations of corruption, policy paralysis, and deepening disputes within the mining sector. Government insiders say Chitando’s removal followed escalating tensions involving powerful business interests closely aligned to the President, as well as internal battles over control of lucrative mineral concessions.
State House has not publicly detailed the reasons for Chitando’s dismissal, but senior officials confirm that concerns over governance failures, opaque licensing practices, and unresolved conflicts over mining claims accelerated his exit. Analysts say the decision underscores Mnangagwa’s growing push to consolidate control over strategic mineral value chains — particularly lithium, gold, and chrome — ahead of the 2028 political cycle.
Dr Kambamura, formerly the Deputy Minister in the same portfolio, is expected to bring continuity while also navigating the intense political and commercial pressures that have come to define the sector. His appointment signals Mnangagwa’s desire for tighter executive oversight in a ministry widely considered the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economic recovery strategy.
Industry players are watching closely to see whether Kambamura will restore confidence in a sector long troubled by corruption scandals, inconsistent policies, and accusations of elite capture. His immediate challenges include stabilising regulatory frameworks, improving transparency in mining titles, and confronting factional power struggles that have destabilised investment climate.
The government is expected to release a detailed statement outlining Kambamura’s mandate and priorities in the coming days.
