Zimbabwe Cabinet shuffle threatens a political crisis

The Zimbabwe government headed for a political crisis as Home Affairs Minister Joshua Nkomo refused to accept demotion in a Cabinet shuffle, saying he had not been consulted. Mr. Nkomo was stripped of his portfolio and appointed public-service minister. Political sources said Prime Minister Robert Mugabe was calculating that Mr. Nkomo would remain in the Cabinet rather than enter the political cold as an opposition leader.

Mr. Mugabe also said that the radical manpower planning minister, Edgar Tekere, acquitted of murdering a white farm manager, had been removed for a "rest." The shuffle was Mr. Mugabe's first since gaining independence last year.