Mnangagwa Removes Kirsty Coventry From Cabinet
President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially relieved Kirsty Coventry of her duties as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture on Tuesday, March 25.
The move follows Coventry’s election as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last week.
The 41-year-old former Olympian secured the role in a secret vote among seven candidates during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, on March 20. She is set to serve an eight-year term in this prestigious position.
Upon her return from Greece on Sunday, Coventry indicated that she wouldn’t immediately step down from her ministerial role, saying she would complete a proper handover with her successor in the coming weeks before formally assuming her IOC duties on June 23.
However, on Tuesday, Martin Rushwaya, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, announced in a statement that Coventry had been relieved of her Cabinet position. Said Rushwaya:
Acting in terms of section 108 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, His Excellency President Dr E.D Mnangagwa has relieved Honourable Kirsty Coventry from her position as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture following her well-deserved election as the President of the International Olympic Committee.
Coventry will officially take office on Olympic Day, June 23, after the handover from President Bach. Bach will remain in his role until then, but will resign as an IOC Member following the transfer of power and will take on the title of Honorary President.
Coventry’s first major event will be overseeing the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, with less than 11 months until the Opening Ceremony.
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