MASHONALAND West Provincial Affairs minister Webster Shamu has been fired from his post, while former Local Government, Public Works and National Housing secretary Vincent Hungwe is appointed as new chairperson of the Public Service Commission effective June 1.

Principal director of the Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services ministry, Regis Chikowore, confirmed the developments in a brief statement, saying Shamu’s expulsion was with immediate effect.

No reasons were cited for Shamu’s expulsion, although there were speculative reports that he could have been fired for allegedly interfering with processes during Zanu PF’s just-ended primary elections.

Hungwe, who is reportedly serving as United Nations Development Programme policy adviser in Botswana, takes over from Mariyawanda Nzuwah, who retired from the PSC early this year.

His appointment is with effect from June 1.

Hungwe served as Local Government secretary in 2002 before becoming United Nations Capital Development Fund regional technical adviser.

Chikowore said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had exercised his powers in terms of Section 108 (1)(a) as read with Section 340(1)(f) of the Constitution.

“Hon Shamu’s removal from office takes immediate effect. Mr Hungwe’s appointment takes effect from June 1, 2018,” he said.