Zimondi offered a diplomatic post

HARARE – The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Commissioner General Paradzai Willings Zimondi has been given an option of taking up a diplomatic post outside the country, highly placed government sources have revealed.

Zimondi’s diplomatic appointment is being viewed by observers as part of the purges which have seen 16 government ministers losing their jobs as President Robert Mugabe continues to eliminate senior party cadres associated with the ousted vice president Joice Mujuru.

Before the dismissal of Mujuru and the ministers Mugabe had fired nine party provincial chairpersons on the same accusations and allegations.

Zimondi is one of the service chiefs who are in the line of fire for his patronage to the Mujuru circles.

Other services chiefs whose future is uncertain include the Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri and Air force of Zimbabwe Commander Perence Shiri.

Highly placed sources within the ZPCS said Zimondi was notified of the position last week.

“The Commissioner has already been notified of his fate, “said the sources.

“He has been given an option of either retirement or he becomes a diplomat but to a yet to be disclosed country”.

Political analyst Ruzvidzo Matambanadzo said Zimondi’s diplomatic appointment was President Robert Mugabe’s political tactic of separating the Mujuru allies so that they do not meet.

“It is demotion by promotion. It is a detachment from with his political allies, meaning that politically he has been weakened. He will no longer be able to meet with his fellow comrades, “he said.

“But for his family it’s good because they are a number of benefits associated with being a diplomat. It’s actually a good retirement package for him. He will be having lesser work and headaches”. The Zimbabwean