Speculation was growing in Zimbabwe today as to whether a new cabinet to be named this weekend by President Robert Mugabe will take a tougher approach on his controversial land reform programme.
Mr Mugabe announced the dissolution of his cabinet yesterday and was said to be working on the composition of a new government to be announced this weekend, state ZBC radio said.
"The composition of the actual Cabinet is, however, a closely guarded secret and current ministers and those aspiring to serve in Cabinet will spend an anxious weekend," said the official daily, The Herald.
The new line-up, to be sworn in on Monday, will come five months after Mr Mugabe's disputed re-election in March.
Legal experts said Mr Mugabe, who this month has faced mounting international criticism over the eviction of white farmers, should have appointed a new cabinet soon after his inauguration.
At least one farmer has mounted a court challenge questioning the legitimacy of the serving agriculture minister who issued his eviction order.
Newspapers in Harare suggested that Mr Mugabe would opt for hardline members to back him and his government amid increasing international isolation.
But some analysts suggested he might be looking at creating a more internationally acceptable government.
AFP