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Constantino Chiwenga
Константино Чивенго (21-02-2024).jpg
Chiwenga in 2024
First Vice-President of Zimbabwe
Assumed office
28 December 2017
President Emmerson Mnangagwa
Preceded by Emmerson Mnangagwa
Minister of Health and Child Care
In office
4 August 2020 – 11 September 2023
President Emmerson Mnangagwa
Preceded by Obadiah Moyo
Succeeded by Douglas Mombeshora
Minister of Defence and War Veterans
In office
29 December 2017 – 11 September 2018
President Emmerson Mnangagwa
Preceded by Kembo Mohadi
Succeeded by Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri
Vice-President and Second Secretary of ZANU-PF
Assumed office
23 December 2017
Serving with Kembo Mohadi
President Emmerson Mnangagwa
Preceded by Emmerson Mnangagwa
Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces
In office
December 2003 – 19 December 2017
President Robert Mugabe
Emmerson Mnangagwa
Preceded by Vitalis Zvinavashe
Succeeded by Philip Valerio Sibanda
Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army
In office
1994 – December 2003
President Robert Mugabe
Succeeded by Philip Valerio Sibanda
Personal details
Born
Constantine Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga

(1956-08-25) 25 August 1956 (age 68)
Wedza, Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (now Hwedza, Zimbabwe)
Political party ZANU–PF
Spouses
  • Jocelyn Jacobsen (née Mauchaza)
    (m. 1998; div. 2012)
  • Marry Mubaiwa
    (m. 2011; div. 2019)
  • Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi
    (m. 2022)
Education Political science
Nickname Dominic Chinenge
Military service
Allegiance  Zimbabwe Defence Forces
Branch/service Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (1973–1980)
 Zimbabwe National Army (1981–2017)
Years of service 1973–2017
Rank General
Battles/wars Rhodesian Bush War

Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga was born on August 25, 1956. He is a politician and former army general from Zimbabwe. Since 2017, he has served as the First Vice-President of Zimbabwe. He works alongside President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In August 2020, he also became the Minister of Health. He is also a Vice-President of the ruling political party, Zimbabwean African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). In 2017, he played a key role in the events that led to the change in leadership in Zimbabwe. This event saw Robert Mugabe, who had been president for 37 years, step down.

About Constantino Chiwenga

Early Life and Education

Constantino Chiwenga was born in 1956 in the Wedza District of Mashonaland East Province. He attended St Mary's Mission in Hwedza. He studied up to O Level, which is a common school qualification. Later, in 2015, he earned a PhD in Ethics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. On July 29, 2016, he officially changed his name to Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga.

Family Life

Chiwenga has been married several times. In 1998, he married Jocelyn Jacobsen. They divorced in 2012. In 2011, he married Marry Mubaiwa, a former model. They had two children together, a son born in 2012 and a daughter born in 2013. They divorced in 2019. In June 2022, Chiwenga married Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi, who is a member of the Zimbabwe National Army.

Military Career

Joining the Liberation War

Chiwenga joined the fight for Zimbabwe's independence in 1973. He received his training in Mozambique as a fighter for ZANLA. During the war, he used the name "Dominic Chinenge." He rose through the ranks and became a Provincial Commander. Later, in 1978, he was promoted to a higher leadership position within ZANLA.

Service in the Zimbabwe National Army

In 1981, after Zimbabwe gained independence, he joined the new Zimbabwe National Army. He started as a brigadier and commanded the First Brigade in Bulawayo. He was later promoted to the rank of major general. At this time, he began using his original name, Constantine Chiwenga, again.

In 1994, when the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) were formed, he was promoted to Lieutenant General. He was appointed as the commander of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). In 2004, he became the Commander of the entire Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

He also chaired the Joint Operations Command. This group includes the leaders of the army, prison services, intelligence, police, and air force. He was involved in the land reform program in Zimbabwe. He retired from the army on December 19, 2017.

Political Roles

Becoming Vice-President

On December 28, 2017, Constantino Chiwenga was sworn in as a co-Vice President of Zimbabwe. He serves alongside Kembo Mohadi. The day after, he was also appointed as the Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs.

Role in the 2017 Political Transition

In November 2017, there was a political situation in Zimbabwe. The Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, was removed from his position by President Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa left the country. Chiwenga, who was visiting China, learned that he might be arrested upon his return. However, soldiers loyal to Chiwenga helped him return safely to Zimbabwe on November 12, 2017.

On November 13, 2017, Chiwenga spoke out against the removal of government officials. He warned that the military might have to step in if the situation did not improve. The next day, soldiers and military vehicles were seen heading towards the capital city, Harare. Roads were blocked, including those leading to President Mugabe's home.

Early on November 15, a military spokesperson announced on TV that the military had not taken over the country. He said the president and his family were safe. He explained that the military was targeting "criminals" around Mugabe who were causing problems. Several politicians and government ministers were detained.

Minister of Health and Child Care

In August 2020, Chiwenga was appointed as the Minister of Health and Child Care. He took over from Obadiah Moyo. At the time, the health department faced challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

In January 2021, he spoke at the funerals of several important figures who had died from COVID-19. He called for everyone to work together to fight the virus.

Recent Developments

In September 2023, after parliamentary elections, he was reappointed as the First Vice President.

On March 4, 2024, the United States placed sanctions on Chiwenga and other Zimbabwean officials. These sanctions were related to concerns about human rights and corruption.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Constantino Chiwenga para niños

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