Saviour Kasukuwere

Saviour Kasukuwere (born 23 September 1970) is a Zimbabwean politician who served in the government of Zimbabwe as Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and National Housing between October and November 2017. He was also the ZANU–PF party's national political commissar until December 2017. Before that he was Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment, and Minister of the Environment, Water and Climate. In October 2020, the Zimbabwe government sought Kasukuwere's extradition after issuing a warrant for his arrest.[1] It was revealed that Kasukuwere was among loyalists of former President Robert Mugabe who fled to South Africa before their criminal trials could be completed.[1]

Saviour Kasukuwere
Saviour Kasukuwere in 2014
Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and National Housing
In office 9 October 2017 – 27 November 2017
President	Robert Mugabe
Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing
In office 6 July 2015 – 17 November 2017
President	Robert Mugabe
Preceded by	Ignatius Chombo
Minister of Environment, Water and Climate
In office 11 September 2013 – 6 July 2015
President	Robert Mugabe
Preceded by	Francis Nhema
Succeeded by	Oppah Muchinguri
Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment
In office 13 February 2009 – 11 September 2013
President	Robert Mugabe
Succeeded by	Francis Nhema
Personal details
Born	23 September 1970 Mount Darwin, Zimbabwe
Nationality	Zimbabwe
Political party	ZANU–PF (until 2017)
Spouse(s)	Barbara Kasukuwere
Children	Takudzwa (son), Natasha (daughter) and Christian (son)
Relatives	Danny Kasukuwere (brother)Stan Kasukuwere (brother), Tongai Kasukuwere (brother), Sarah Kasukuwere (sister) Dadirayi Kasukuwere (sister)
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Nickname(s)	Tyson

Career

Politics

He has been a member of the Pan-African Parliament since 2004.[2] He was Deputy Secretary of Youth Affairs in the Politburo of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and subsequently Secretary for the Commissariat. He has been the Member of Parliament for Mount Darwin South Parliamentary Constituency since 2000. From 2005 until February 2009, he served as the Zimbabwean Deputy Minister of Youth Development and Employment Creation.[3]

Kasukuwere was Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment from 2009 to 2013. Following President Robert Mugabe's victory in the July 2013 presidential election, he moved Kasukuwere to the post of Minister of the Environment on 10 September 2013.[4]

President Mugabe moved Kasukuwere to the post of Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing on 6 July 2015.[5] In October 2017 the ministry was expanded to include Rural Development.

2017 coup d'etat and aftermath

On 19 November 2017, Kasukuwere was expelled from ZANU–PF by the party's central committee. Other prominent G40 politicians, including Grace Mugabe, Jonathan Moyo, Patrick Zhuwao, Ignatius Chombo, Walter Mzembi, Shadreck Mashayamombe, Makhosini Hlongwane, Innocent Hamandishe, Samuel Undenge, and Sarah Mahoka were also expelled from the party.[6]

On 27 November 2017, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who succeeded ousted President Robert Mugabe, announced the dissolution of the Zimbabwe Cabinet, leaving only Patrick Chinamasa and Simbarashe Mumbengegwi as acting ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs respectively.[7]

Business

He owns several companies including Comoil (executive Director until 2005), Migdale Holdings Limited, and Allen Wack & Shepherd. He is a citrus farmer in Mazowe, Zimbabwe. He started his business when he was 21 years and built a sprawling business empire before joining politics. The business empire has footprints in the SADC region mainly in transport and logistics.

Self Exile

In November 2017, Kasukuwere fled the country alongside other G40 cabalists, Professor Jonathan Moyo and Mr Patrick Zhuwao, who remain in exile. After six months and six days in self-imposed exile, he finally returned home.[8]

Criminal charges, return to South Africa and extradition request

On October 12, 2020, members of Zimbabwe’s national prosecuting authority met with South Africa Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi to request the extraditions of both Kasukuwere and Walter Mzembi, due to corruption charges.[1] However, Hodzi hesitated and demanded that the proposed extraditions be based on the Extradition (Designated Countries) Order of 1990.[1] It was also revealed that Kasukuwere again fled to South Africa, with Zimbabwe's prosecutor general stating Kasukuwere and Mzembi “had their cases before the courts, but they fled before their trials were completed.”[1]

References

1. Du Plessis, Carien (13 October 2020). "Zimbabwe seeks former Mugabe minister Saviour Kasukuwere's extradition to face criminal charges". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
2. "List of Members of the Pan African Parliament" (PDF). The African Union Commission. 15 March 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
3. "Keynote Address by the Honourable Minister of Youth Development and Employment". Ministry of Youth Development and Employment Creation. 22 May 2005. Archived from the original on 24 May 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2007. Youth Development and Employment Creation Deputy Minister Cde Savior Kasukuwere told Parliament that the national youth service was key in ensuring self-sustainability ...
4. "Zimbabwe: President Mugabe Appoints New Cabinet". The Herald (Harare). 11 September 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
5. "Chombo, Moyo, Tyson reassigned". The Herald (Harare). 7 July 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
6. Chidza, Richard (20 November 2017). "Zanu PF axe falls on Grace, G40 kingpins - NewsDay Zimbabwe". NewsDay Zimbabwe. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
7. "Mnangagwa dissolves cabinet, Chinamasa appointed Acting Finance Minister". The Zimbabwe Mail. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
8. Staff Reporter (23 May 2018). "Zimbabwe: Kasukuwere Returns Home, Questioned By State Agents At Airport". New Zimbabwe (London). Retrieved 23 May 2018.