Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is reported to have appointed a new spokesman for his office, in a reshuffle that sees him replace former ZBC Radio 3 DJ James Maridadi with the outgoing Director of Information Luke Tamborinyoka.

William Bango, previously a spokesman for Tsvangirai several years ago, takes over from Tamborinyoka as the Director of Information. Coincidentally both Bango and Tamborinyoka worked for the Daily News before it was banned in 2003.

Maridadi remains in Tsvangirai's office in a new role as Chief of Protocol. His duties will include planning and executing trips, ceremonies and functions that involve the Prime Minister.

MDC-T spokesman Nelson Chamisa told Newsreel they were still 'finalizing' the reshuffle and referred all questions to Timba. Pressed on the motive for the reshuffle he said it was 'to strengthen the party and the role of the Prime Minister in government.'

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Jameson Timba, is the person who will implement the reshuffle in consultation with the Public Service Commission. The changes involving Tamborinyoka and Maridadi will have to go throught the PSC, since both will be civil servants, Bango's position in the party at Harvest House needs no such formality.

Timba also remained tight lipped on the matter, telling Newsreel on Wednesday; 'As I indicated before, current or future changes to the Office will be communicated officially by this Office.' Pressed on the reason for the delay in announcing the appointments Timba said; 'Any engagement or disengagement of staff in government is obviously a process that involves the public service commission.'

Commenting on the imminent changes political commentator Bekithemba Mhlanga said it was likely Tsvangirai felt his party information department was performing better than the information department in his office. He said the position of the PM's spokesman required a combative character who could match the likes of Mugabe's spokesman George Charamba and Maridadi, for all his likeability, was viewed as a soft touch.