HARARE – Former Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Simelisizwe Sibanda has got his job back after being pardoned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa over what he later admitted in a public apology were tribalistic and divisive comments directed at a teacher.
Early this month Sibanda issued a public apology to Zimbabweans acknowledging that his approach to addressing the issue of a teacher’s language proficiency was “misguided and inappropriate” and perpetuated tribal divisions.
It appears that apology has worked and a statement issued on Wednesday, 31 July 2024 by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, confirmed that Sibanda had been re-appointed back to his position.
“Following representations, profuse apologies and undertakings to refrain from similar misdemeanors in the future, His Excellency, the President, Cde, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has decided that Hon. Simelisizwe Sibanda be pardoned.
“Accordingly, His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has in terms of subsection 2 of Section 104 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, appointed Hon. Simelisizwe Sibanda M.P. as the Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.
“The appointment is with immediate effect,” the statement read.
