Section 104: Appointment of Ministers and Deputy Ministers
Constitution of Zimbabwe
(1) The President appoints Ministers and assigns functions to them, including the administration of any Act of Parliament or of any Ministry or department, but the President may reserve to himself or herself the administration of an Act, Ministry or department.
(2) The President may appoint Deputy Ministers to assist any Minister in the exercise of his or her functions.
(3) Ministers and Deputy Ministers are appointed from among Senators or Members of the National Assembly, but up to seven, chosen for their professional skills and competence, may be appointed from outside Parliament.
[Subsection amended by s. 10 of Act No. 2 of 2021]
(4) In appointing Ministers and Deputy Ministers, the President must be guided by considerations of regional and gender balance.
(5) Ministers and Deputy Ministers who are not Members of Parliament may sit and speak, but not vote, in the Senate or the National Assembly.
(6) Before taking office, a person appointed as Minister or Deputy Minister must take before the President the appropriate Ministerial oath in the form set out in the Third Schedule.
Key Insight: Presidential Power with Checks and Balances
This section establishes the President's authority to form a government while incorporating important democratic safeguards. While the President has significant appointment powers, these are constrained by requirements for regional and gender balance. The provision allowing up to seven non-parliamentary appointments enables the inclusion of technical experts in government, balancing political representation with professional competence.