George Charamba

George Charamba
Press Secretary President's Office (Zimbabwe)
Incumbent
Assumed office 2000
President	Robert Mugabe
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information (Zimbabwe)
In office 2000–2018
Personal details
Born	(1963-04-04) 4 April 1963 (age 61) Southern Rhodesia
Nationality	Zimbabwean
Political party	ZANU-PF
Spouse	Rudo Grace Charamba

George Charamba is the Deputy Chief Secretary-Presidential Communications in the Office of the President of Zimbabwe and former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information of Zimbabwe. His position makes him the official spokesperson for President Emmerson Mnangagwa.^[1]

Background

Charamba was appointed to Robert Mugabe's government following the elections of 2000. He is among a set of individuals not allowed to travel to the United States because the Department of the Treasury is of the opinion that they are "undermining democratic processes" in Zimbabwe.^[2]

Press Secretary

Following the departure of Jonathan Moyo from the information ministry, Charamba became the de facto government spokesperson and Permanent Secretary (Perm Sec) of the Ministry, usurping the powers of Sikhanyiso Ndlovu. He regularly appears in the government media denouncing the opposition parties, dismissing them as inspired and backed by Western powers.^[3] He declared that the "West could go hang a thousand times" in response to Western criticism of Mugabe's re-election.^[4]

In 2018, newly elected as President, Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed Nick Mangwana to replace George Charamba as Information and Broadcasting Services Perm Sec.^[5]

References

1. "Zimbabwe president reshuffles top ranks of civil service". Reuters. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
2. Blocking property of persons undermining democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe.
3. http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=31279&cat=1 Archived 2008-02-26 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 02/25/2008)
4. http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=794027 ^{[permanent dead link‍]}"(accessed 02/07/2008)
5. "President Mnangagwa Appoints Nick Mangwana to Replace George Charamba as Information and Broadcasting Services Perm Sec". October 2018.