Frederick Shava
Honorific prefixThe Honourable
Honorific suffixSen.
Office 1Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development
Predecessor 1Amon Murwira
President 1Emmerson Mnangagwa
Term start 115 October 2024
Deputy 1Simelisizwe Sibanda
Office 2Senator for Midlands
Term start 24 September 2023
President 2Emmerson Mnangagwa
Office 3Chairman of the SADC Council of Ministers
Term start 313 August 2024
Term end 312 August 2025
Predecessor 3Tete António
Successor 3Rasata Rafaravavitafika
President 3Emmerson Mnangagwa
Office 4Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Predecessor 4Sibusiso Moyo
Successor 4Amon Murwira
President 4Emmerson Mnangagwa
Term start 42 March 2021
Term end 415 October 2024
Deputy 4Sheillah Chikomo
Office 5Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe to the United Nations
Predecessor 5Chitsaka Chipaziwa
Successor 5Albert Ranganai Chimbindi
President 5
Term start 519 September 2014
Term end 58 February 2021
Office 6Zimbabwean Ambassador to China
Predecessor 6Christopher Mutsvangwa
Successor 6Paul Chikawa
President 6Robert Mugabe
Term start 66 April 2007
Term end 619 September 2014
Birth date20 March 1949 (age 77)
Birth placeChivi, Cheteni Village, Southern Rhodesia
PartyZANU–PF
Alma materRoyal Holloway College
Imperial College London
SpouseBeatrice Foya Shava

Frederick Musiiwa Makamure Shava (born 20 March 1949) is a Zimbabwean politician who was appointed Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology on 15 October 2024.[1][2] He was formerly the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade from 2 March 2021[3][4] to 15 October 2024. He also serves as a member of the Senate representing Midlands Province, having been sworn in on 17 March 2021.[5] He replaced the late Sibusiso Moyo in both the Senate and as foreign minister.[5]

Prior to his cabinet appointments, Shava served as Zimbabwe's representative to the United Nations, where he was the President of the UN Economic and Social Affairs Council.[6][7] Shava also served in Robert Mugabe's government as the Minister of Labour, Manpower Planning and Development from 1981 to 1986 and Minister of State for Political Affairs in 1987.[2][8] While a cabinet minister in the Mugabe government, Shava was convicted for perjury in the Willowgate motor scandal, a matter for which he later received a presidential pardon.[9] He also served as Zimbabwe's ambassador to China from 2007 to 2014.[6][9] He became Council Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community in August 2024.[10]

Early life and education

Shava was born on 20 March 1949 in Chivi, in what was then the colony of Southern Rhodesia.[6] He attended secondary school at St. Ignatius College in Chishawasha, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Zambia[6] or the University of Zimbabwe.[11] He also holds a Master of Science in nematology from Imperial College London and a Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy, both in parasitology, from Royal Holloway College.[6][11]

Allegations of Unauthorized Borrowing (2024)

In October 2024, Frederick Shava was implicated in a legal case concerning the unauthorized borrowing of public funds. A lawsuit filed by former opposition legislator Marvellous Kumalo accused Shava and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister July Moyo of violating the Public Finance Management Act (Treasury Instructions), 2019, and the Constitution. The allegations centered around borrowing funds from government-established programs, including the Sustainable Livelihoods Fund, the Child Welfare Fund, and the Older Persons Fund, without prior Treasury approval.[12]

The High Court, presided over by Justice Gladys Mhuri, ruled that Shava and Moyo had acted unlawfully and breached public trust. The court ordered both ministers to reimburse the misappropriated funds within 90 days. Shava was specifically directed to repay amounts borrowed from the Industrial Training and Trade Testing Fund and the Skilled Manpower Trade Testing and Certification Fund.[13]

References

  1. ^ "ED swaps Murwira, Shava portfolios". Zimbabwe Independent. 16 October 2024. Archived 1 April 2025 at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ^ "Ministers Shava, Murwira reassigned". The Herald. 16 October 2024. Archived 1 April 2025 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ Machivenyika, Farirai (8 February 2021). "JUST IN: President makes Ministerial appointments". The Herald. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  4. ^ "Frederick Shava sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs". The Zimbabwe Mail. 2021-03-02. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
  5. ^ "Zanu PF replaces dead legislators". The Zimbabwe Mail. 20 March 2021. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
  6. ^ "Biography for the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Ambassador Frederick Makamure Shava". South Africa: Embassy of Paraguay. 16 March 2016. Archived from the original on 24 December 2022.
  7. ^ Mabasa, Sasa (20 September 2016). "Zimbabwe chosen to lead UN economic, social council". The Chronicle. Archived 20 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ^ "Zimbabwe Exodus is Greater Now than in War". The New York Times. Reuters. 14 June 1981. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  9. ^ Maguchu, Prosper (2019). Transitional Justice and Socio-Economic Rights in Zimbabwe. The Hague: T.M.C. Asser Press. pp. 87–88. ISBN 9789462653238.
  10. ^ "Zim takes over Sadc Council of Ministers reins". The Herald. 14 August 2024. Archived 2 April 2025 at the Wayback Machine.
  11. ^ United Nations Economic and Social Council (2016). "2016: H.E. Frederick Musiiwa Makamure Shava (Republic of Zimbabwe)". United Nations Economic and Social Council. Archived 27 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine.
  12. ^ "Willowgate linked minister in another scandal involving 'stolen' millions". Bulawayo 24 News. 30 October 2024. Archived 2 April 2025 at the Wayback Machine.
  13. ^ "High Court Orders Ministers July Moyo And Frederick Shava To Repay ZiG200 Million In Unapproved Loans". Pindula. 29 October 2024. Archived 29 October 2024 at the Wayback Machine.