Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Coat of arms of Zimbabwe
Residence	Zimbabwe House, Harare
Appointer	President of Zimbabwe
Formation	18 April 1980 11 February 2009
First holder	Robert Mugabe
Final holder	Morgan Tsvangirai
Abolished	31 December 1987 11 September 2013

The Prime Minister of Zimbabwe was an important political job in the government of Zimbabwe. This position existed at two different times. The first person to hold this role was Robert Mugabe, from 1980 to 1987. He became Prime Minister when Zimbabwe became an independent country from the United Kingdom on April 18, 1980.

This job was later removed in 1987 when the country's rules (its constitution) were changed. Robert Mugabe then became the President of Zimbabwe. The President is the country's main leader. The Prime Minister's job was brought back in 2009 and was held by Morgan Tsvangirai. However, it was removed again in 2013 with a new constitution.

Understanding the Prime Minister's Role
- The First Prime Minister
- Bringing the Job Back
People Who Held the Office
Timeline of Prime Ministers
How Long They Served
Related Topics
See also

Understanding the Prime Minister's Role

The First Prime Minister

The idea of a Prime Minister in Zimbabwe came from its earlier history. The first Prime Minister of the area was George Mitchell in 1933, when it was called Southern Rhodesia. This role continued through different stages of the country's development.

When Zimbabwe became independent in 1980, its new rules set up a system where there was a President and a Prime Minister. The President was mostly a symbolic leader, like a figurehead. The Prime Minister held most of the real power in running the government.

In the 1980 election, Robert Mugabe's party won. He became Prime Minister, and Canaan Banana became President. They both stayed in their roles after the 1985 election too.

However, in 1987, the government changed the constitution. They made the President's job much more powerful. The Prime Minister's job was removed, and its duties were given to the President. Robert Mugabe then became the President.

Bringing the Job Back

The Prime Minister's job was brought back in 2009. This happened because of a special agreement made in September 2008. This agreement was between Robert Mugabe's party and Morgan Tsvangirai's party. It followed a big election in 2008.

Robert Mugabe remained President, but Morgan Tsvangirai became Prime Minister on February 11, 2009. The power to run the country was shared between the President, the Prime Minister, and the cabinet (a group of top government officials).

The Prime Minister's main jobs included leading meetings of government ministers and helping to create government policies. The Prime Minister was also part of the National Security Council, which helps keep the country safe.

However, the Prime Minister's job in this second period did not have as much power as it did in the 1980s. The President still had the most authority. In 2012, Morgan Tsvangirai said that the power-sharing agreement was not being fully followed.

In March 2013, the government held a vote to approve a new constitution. As a result, the Prime Minister's job was removed again on September 11, 2013. Both Tsvangirai and Mugabe ran for the single job of President in the July 2013 election. Robert Mugabe was elected President.

People Who Held the Office

No.	Prime Minister	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Party	Election	President(s)
1	Mugabe, RobertRobert Mugabe (1924–2019)	18 April 1980	31 December 1987	7 years, 257 days	ZANU	1980 1985	Canaan Banana
Job removed (December 31, 1987 – February 11, 2009)
2	Tsvangirai, MorganMorgan Tsvangirai (1952–2018)	11 February 2009	11 September 2013	4 years, 212 days	MDC–T	2008	Robert Mugabe
Job removed (September 11, 2013 – present)