PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday swore in Mrs Monica Mutsvangwa as the new Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister. She replaces Ms Tracy Mutinhiri who was found guilty of behaviour inconsistent with Zanu-PF principles. Mutinhiri was suspended from the party and subsequently dismissed from Parliament and Government.

Deputy Minister Mutsvangwa took the oath of office at State House at a ceremony witnessed by senior Government officials who included Vice President Joice Mujuru, Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and her husband Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa.

In an interview after the ceremony, Deputy Minister Mutsvangwa said she was humbled by the appointment.

“I am humbled and grateful to the President for giving me this opportunity. I have excelled in every position I have been given. I can take any responsibility and will leave no stone unturned in carrying out my mandate,” she said.

Deputy Minister Mutsvangwa said she was a cadre ready to serve her country well.

She attributed her steady rise to her mother whom she said instilled good values in her and an ever supportive husband Ambassador Mutsvangwa. Deputy Minister Mutsvangwa is Senator for Mutare/Chimanimani constituency.

She is also secretary for information and publicity in the Zanu-PF Women’s League.

Born Monica Parirenyatwa in Manicaland, Deputy Minister Mutsvangwa left school aged 15 to receive military training in Mozambique and later returned home where she participated in the liberation struggle.

She worked with Minister Mnangagwa in the President’s Office from 1978 to 1980.

The deputy minister has held a number of positions within and outside the party.

Between 1998-1999, she was a member of the Constitutional Commission having been Zanu-PF vice district chairperson for Highlands from 1991-2000.

From 2000-2002, Deputy Minister Mutsvangwa was a provincial member of Zanu-PF’s Harare province.

In 2008 she was elected secretary for treasury for Sadc Parliamentary Forum at its 24th plenary in Arusha, Tanzania. Later (2007 to date) she became a member of the Zanu-PF Manicaland province. Deputy Minister Mutsvangwa holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Rutgers University of the United States.