Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has fired Sport and Recreation Minister Andrew Langa, long linked to ousted vice president Joice Mujuru’s faction in the ruling Zanu PF.
He replaced him with former broadcaster and journalist, Makhosini Hlongwane, who was appointed Minister Without Portfolio last week.
A memo from Misheck Sibanda, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, confirmed Langa’s sacking.
The memo also clarified the culture division of the sports ministry had been moved to the new ministry of rural development, preservation and promotion of culture and heritage.
Langa, who lost his position as a regional chairman in Zanu PF following purges that began in December last year, following the party’s acrimonious congress, was accused of aligning with Mujuru.
He had survived the cabinet chop that befell many of his colleagues and deputies believed to be in the Mujuru camp.
Mujuru was fired along with eight other cabinet ministers in December last year, after President Mugabe accused her of plotting to remove him from office.
Both Langa and Hlongwane were not reachable to comment.