Obert Mpofu
Encyclopedia
Obert Moses Mpofu is a Zimbabwe
an politician, currently serving as Minister of Mines. Previously he was Minister of Industry and International Trade.
Province, was appointed as Minister of Industry and International Trade in mid-April 2005, following the March 2005 parliamentary election.
to lead the price monitoring regime that was created following the price-freeze. He withdrew operating licenses from abattoirs across the country during the price freeze, a situation that resulted in beef becoming scarce in shops across the country. In early 2008, he initiated the idea of 'people's shops' government run retail shops that would sell products at cheap prices.
, as part of the government's Look-East policy. At one time, Gao Hucheng, Chinese vice-minister for commerce, after meeting with Mpofu claimed: "Chinese goods had been well received by Zimbabweans and that his government would continue to promote trade between the two countries as this had also improved the lives of people."
seat from Umguza
constituency in the March 2008 parliamentary election
. Mpofu was initially endorsed as unopposed, but Mark Mbayiwa challenged this in court and was successful in getting Mpofu's unopposed endorsement overturned.
Campaigning in Umguza, Mpofu singled out Simba Makoni
as an agent of western imperialism. He allegedly tried to buy the votes of those who came to hear his speech by giving them knapsack sprayers.
Mpofu won the seat, receiving 7,065 votes and defeating two candidates of the two Movement for Democratic Change factions, Cornelius Mbayiwa (MDC-T
) and Edmund Masuku (MDC-M
), who respectively received 2,846 and 2,120 votes. He also defeated Mark Mbayiwa, who ran as an independent and received 555 votes.
When the ZANU-PF–MDC national unity government
was sworn in on February 13, 2009, Mpofu became Minister of Mines.
, has been accused of trading in ivory in his capacity as minister for his personal gain, a charge that he dismissed.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
an politician, currently serving as Minister of Mines. Previously he was Minister of Industry and International Trade.
Political career
Mpofu, previously the Governor of Matabeleland NorthMatabeleland North
Matabeleland North is a province in western Zimbabwe. It borders the provinces of Midlands and Mashonaland West to the east and northeast respectively, and the province of Matabeleland South and the city of Bulawayo to the south. Its northern border is defined by the Zambezi river, while its...
Province, was appointed as Minister of Industry and International Trade in mid-April 2005, following the March 2005 parliamentary election.
Ministry of Industry & Trade
Mpofu masterminded the freeze of basic commodities in Zimbabwe in mid-2007. He was appointed by Robert MugabeRobert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
to lead the price monitoring regime that was created following the price-freeze. He withdrew operating licenses from abattoirs across the country during the price freeze, a situation that resulted in beef becoming scarce in shops across the country. In early 2008, he initiated the idea of 'people's shops' government run retail shops that would sell products at cheap prices.
Sino-Zimbabwe trade
Mpofu was at the forefront encouraging trade between Zimbabwe and ChinaPeople's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, as part of the government's Look-East policy. At one time, Gao Hucheng, Chinese vice-minister for commerce, after meeting with Mpofu claimed: "Chinese goods had been well received by Zimbabweans and that his government would continue to promote trade between the two countries as this had also improved the lives of people."
2008 general election
Obert Mpofu has been nominated again as the ZANU-PF candidate for the House of AssemblyHouse of Assembly of Zimbabwe
The House of Assembly of Zimbabwe is the lower chamber of the country's bicameral Parliament. It was the unicameral legislative body from 1989 until late November 2005, when the Senate was re-introduced....
seat from Umguza
Umguza
Umguza is a district in Matabeleland North province in Zimbabwe....
constituency in the March 2008 parliamentary election
Zimbabwean parliamentary election, 2008
A parliamentary election was held in Zimbabwe on March 29, 2008 to elect members to both the House of Assembly and the Senate of the Zimbabwean parliament...
. Mpofu was initially endorsed as unopposed, but Mark Mbayiwa challenged this in court and was successful in getting Mpofu's unopposed endorsement overturned.
Campaigning in Umguza, Mpofu singled out Simba Makoni
Simba Makoni
Simbarashe Herbert Stanley Makoni is a Zimbabwean politician and was a candidate for the March 2008 presidential election against incumbent Robert Mugabe. He was Minister of Finance and Economic Development in President Robert Mugabe's cabinet from 2000 to 2002...
as an agent of western imperialism. He allegedly tried to buy the votes of those who came to hear his speech by giving them knapsack sprayers.
Mpofu won the seat, receiving 7,065 votes and defeating two candidates of the two Movement for Democratic Change factions, Cornelius Mbayiwa (MDC-T
Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai
The Movement for Democratic Change Zimbabwe is a political party and the largest party in the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe. It is the main formation formed from the split of the original Movement for Democratic Change in 2005.-Foundation:...
) and Edmund Masuku (MDC-M
Movement for Democratic Change – Mutambara
The Movement for Democratic Change — Mutambara is a Zimbabwean political party led by Welshman Ncube.-Foundation:The Movement for Democratic Change was founded in 1999 as an opposition party to the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front party led by President Robert Mugabe...
), who respectively received 2,846 and 2,120 votes. He also defeated Mark Mbayiwa, who ran as an independent and received 555 votes.
When the ZANU-PF–MDC national unity government
Zimbabwe Government of National Unity of 2009
The Government of National Unity refers to Zimbabwe's coalition government that was formed on 13 February 2009 following the inaugurations of Morgan Tsvangirai as Prime Minister and Thokozani Khuphe and Arthur Mutambara as Deputy Prime Ministers...
was sworn in on February 13, 2009, Mpofu became Minister of Mines.
Trading in ivory
Mpofu, together with Webster ShamuWebster Shamu
Webster Kotiwani Shamu is a Zimbabwean politician, currently serving as Minister of Publicity and Information. He was previously Minister of State for Policy Implementation, and he is a Member of Parliament representing Chegutu constituency.- Background :...
, has been accused of trading in ivory in his capacity as minister for his personal gain, a charge that he dismissed.