Harare — Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai reshuffled his ministers in the coalition Cabinet yesterday in what critics see as an attempt to re-assert his authority in the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) and in government which might however, rattle a party prone to divisions.

The premier axed four top MDC-T officials from his Cabinet line-up yesterday, about 16 months after they were appointed to their respective positions in February last year when the unity government was consummated in line with the Global Political Agreement signed five months earlier.

Bowing out of government is the MDC-T national organising secretary, Elias Mudzuri; youth league chairperson, Thamsanqa Mahla-ngu; national executive member for Chitungwiza, Fidelis Mhashu and the party's secretary for Women's Assembly, Evelyn Masaiti.

Prior to being recalled from government, the four MDC-T officials were ministers or deputy ministers of Energy and Power Developm-ent; Youth Development, Indigeni-sation and Empowerment; Nati-onal Housing and Social Amenities and Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development respectively.

The surprise reshuffle, coming a few months after violence rocked Harvest House - the MDC-T headquarters - leading to the expulsion of several youths fingered in the skirmishes, saw two members of the Prime Minister's so-called kitchen cabinet being parachuted to full ministerial positions.

Jameson Timba, rumoured to be an influential member of Tsvangirai's kitchen cabinet, has been promoted to the post of Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office from that of Deputy Minister of Media, Information and Publicity.

Timba, credited with railroading media reforms, takes over from Gorden Moyo.

Moyo takes over from Gabuzza Joel Gabuza as the Minister of State Enterprises and Parastatals. Gabuza, a geologist by profession, has been shunted to the Ministry of Public Works, previously held by Theresa Makone.

Tapiwa Mashakada, overlooked in the first ministerial appointments due to alleged infighting in the MDC-T, assumes the post of Minister of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, taking over from Elton Mangoma.

Mangoma, replaces disposed Mudzuri in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development while Makone, the wife of Tsvangirai's confidante, Ian Makone, who is also the chief secretary in the Prime Minister's Office - has been transferred to become Co-Home Affairs Minister, taking over from Giles Mutsekwa.

Mutsekwa becomes Co-Minister of Housing and Social Amenities.

Party insiders said Makone's Iron Lady personality made her suitable for the job in which Mutsekwa is said to have failed to live up to the party's expectations.

Many in the MDC-T wanted Mutsekwa to implement far-reaching reforms in the police force. This was not to be.

Murisi Zvizvai, the MDC-T legislator for Harare Central, has been moved as Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development to deputise Webster Shamu at the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity.

The MDC-T is said to be unhappy with the goings on in the Mines Ministry, particularly its handling of the Chiadzwa diamonds saga, with some party stalwarts pointing accusing fingers at Zvizvai for failing to reign in on ZANU-PF officials fingered in murky deals involving the gems.

Mahlangu's retirement to the party has been attributed to being overshadowed by Saviour Kasukuwere at the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment. Masvingo Central legislator, Tongai Matutu, replaces Mahlangu.

Mahlangu's implication in the aborted charge of stealing a mobile phone from war veterans leader, Joseph Chinotimba, is said to have damaged his standing in government and in the party.

Masaiti, the MDC-T Women's League secretary, has been replaced as the deputy minister for Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, by Jessie Majome.

Mount Pleasant senator, Obert Gutu, takes over from Majome, who insiders said fitted well in the ministry since she was a holder of a Masters Degree in Gender.

MDC-T officials said it was felt that Majome was being overshadowed by Patrick Chinamasa, the ZANU-PF legal guru, who doubles up as the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs.

Gutu is a lawyer by profession who is now expected to checkmate Chinamasa.

In a statement issued yesterday, Tsvangirai said President Robert Mugabe had acceded to the reshuffle and would swear in the new ministers and deputies at State House today.

While the MDC-T leader has never said a word in the past about the performance of his charges since the consummation of the inclusive government, the reshuffle is the first indication yet that he is not entirely happy with how his ministers have accounted for themselves in the coalition.

Tsvangirai's critics see the tinkering with Cabinet positions as attempts by the former trade unionist to cement his grip on the party by reining in on ambitious MDC-T officials seen to be working behind the scenes to topple him.

Fears are abound within the rank and file of the party, which nearly upset ZANU-PF in the 2008 harmonised elections, that if not managed properly, the reshuffle could result in a major fallout within the party reminiscent of the infamous 2005 split that gave birth to the Arthur Mutambara-led MDC-M.

Tsvangirai has, however, denied the reshuffle was in response to widening rifts within the MDC-T.

"I am not aware of any factions. What I know is we are positioning ourselves both in government and the party. It is not victimisation at all. Far from it," he said.

The MDC-T leader said Mudzuri, Mahlangu, Mhashu and Masaiti were being redeployed from government to strengthen and add momentum to the MDC-T's programmes.

"This reshuffle is about (the) MDC delivering to the people of Zimbabwe what they are looking for - real change. Over the past 16 months, we have recorded definite success in certain areas, but however, we still have many challenges and these, frankly, over-shadow our success to date," said Tsvangirai.

"I am acutely aware that these and other challenges have led to loss of confidence in the new administration among the electorate. In response to this, as Prime Minister and president of the MDC, I have just completed a comprehensive review of the performance of the government and in particular my office and those ministers who represent the MDC. As a result, I have decided on a number of changes needed to strengthen the performance of the MDC in government and outside government, in order to deliver real change to the people of Zimbabwe," he said.

He said it was wrong to assume that Mudzuri and other top officials affected by the reshuffle had been demoted.

"Mudzuri, Mahlangu, Mhashu and Masaiti have a special role to play in the next 15 months. We can't ignore the party by deploying all our ammunition to the government," he said.

While Tsvangirai could be genuinely responding to the poor performance of some of his ministers and the needs of his party, it can also not be ruled out that vindictiveness might have gotten the better of him in the redeployment exercise.

It has not been denied that some senior party officials within the MDC-T are pushing for an elective congress next year, which the MDC-T leader could have interpreted as an attempt to stage a palace coup.

Tsvangirai is said to have crushed calls for an elective congress citing the envisaged fresh elections planned for next year.