President Emmerson Mnangagwa has fired State Security Minister Owen Mudha Ncube for “conduct inappropriate” for a Cabinet Minister.

Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda confirmed the dismissal.

“The President Cde ED Mnangagwa has in terms of section 340, subsection (1) paragraph (f), as read with section 104, subsection (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe removed Owen Ncube from Office of Cabinet Minister with immediate effect for conduct inappropriate for a Minister of Government.

As Minister of State, Ncube ordered a crackdown against demonstrators protesting against a 150% fuel hike in January 2019.

Following the protests, US and the UK imposed a travel ban and freezing of assets at Ncube.