Government of Zimbabwe Rhodesia

The government of Zimbabwe Rhodesia took office on 1 June 1979 under the terms of the Internal Settlement negotiated between the government of Rhodesia and moderate African nationalists. It ruled the internationally unrecognized country until, under the terms of the Lancaster House Agreement, control was turned over to Lord Soames as the Governor of Southern Rhodesia on 12 December 1979.

The government attempted to include all parties represented in the House of Assembly following the general election, although the Zimbabwe African National Union of Rev Ndabaningi Sithole initially refused to take up their seats.

Executive Council

Party key Rhodesian Front
United African National Council
United National Federal Party
Zimbabwe African National Union – Ndonga
Portfolio Minister Term
Prime Minister Abel Muzorewa 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Combined Operations
Minister of Defence
Deputy Prime Minister Silas Mundawarara 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Information, Immigration and Tourism
Acting Minister of Health 1 June 1979 – 15 August 1979
Minister of Agriculture William Irvine 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Commerce and Industry Ernest Bulle 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Education Edward Mazaiwana 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Finance David Smith 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Foreign Affairs David Mukome 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Health David Zamchiya 15 August 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Home Affairs Herbert Zimuto 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Justice Chris Andersen 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Acting Minister of Roads and Road Traffic 1 June 1979 – 15 August 1979
Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Rural Development George Nyandoro 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Law and Order Francis Zindoga 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Public Service
Minister of Local Government and Housing Walter Mthimkhulu 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Manpower, Social Affairs, Youth and Rehabilitation Senator Aaron Mutiti 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Mines Senator Chief Khayisa Ndiweni 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Works
Minister of Posts P. K. van der Byl 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Transport and Power
Minister of Roads and Road Traffic Leonard Nyemba 15 August 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister of Water Development Zephaniah Bafana 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
Minister without Portfolio Ian Smith 1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979

Deputy Ministers

Office Minister Since Party
Deputy Minister of Information, Immigration and Tourism Ismail Adam 1 June 1979 – 30 September 1979 Independent
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Joshua Buwell Cohen 1 June 1979 – 30 September 1979 Independent
Deputy Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Rural Development Rowan Cronjé 1 June 1979 RF
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Dennis Nyamuswa (acting) 1 June 1979 UANC
Ephraim Tsvaringe 15 August 1979 ZANU
Deputy Minister of Education Peter Mandaza 1 June 1979 UNFP
Deputy Minister of Manpower, Social Affairs, Youth and Rehabilitation David Murambiwa Mutasa 1 June 1979 UANC
Deputy Minister of Finance Dennis Nyamuswa 1 June 1979 UANC
Deputy Minister of Mines Denis Walker 1 June 1979 RF
Deputy Minister of Works

See also