Constitution of Zimbabwe (as amended by Constitution Amendment No. 19) (a) if the appointment is revoked by the President; or (b) if he ceases to hold the office of Minister; or (c) upon the assumption of office of a new President. [31CA Acting Prime Minister Whenever the Prime Minister is absent from Zimbabwe or is unable to perform the functions of his office by reason of illness or any other cause, his functions shall be assumed and performed⎯ (a) by the Deputy Prime Minister whom the Prime Minister, in consultation with the President, has designated for the eventuality; or (b) the Deputy Prime Minister who last acted as Prime Minister in terms of this section, where neither Deputy Prime Minister has been designated for such an eventuality in terms of paragraph (a); or (c) during the absence or incapacity of both Deputy Prime Ministers, by such Minister as may be designated for such an eventuality⎯ (i) by the Prime Minister, in consultation with the President; or (ii) by the Cabinet, where no Minister has been designated by the Prime Minister in terms of subparagraph (i).] [Section inserted by paragraph 3 of Schedule 8 to the Constitution, which itself was inserted in the Constitution by Act 1 of 2009 – Amendment No. 19. This amendment applies for the duration of the Inter -party Agreement.] 31D Ministers and Deputy Ministers (1) The President— (a) shall appoint Ministers and may assign functions to such Ministers, including the administration of any Act of Parliament or of any Ministry or department; and (b) may appoint Deputy Ministers of any Ministry or department or of such other description as the President may determine, and may authorise any Deputy Minister to exercise or perform on behalf of a Minister any of the functions entrusted to such Minister. (2) Any person appointed under this section shall, before entering upon his office, take and subscribe before the President or some other person authorised by the President in that behalf the oaths of loyalty and office in the forms set out in Schedule 1. (3) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and any Act of Parliament, where any Minister has been charged with responsibility for any Ministry or department he shall exercise general direction and control over that Ministry or department and, subject to such direction and control, any such Ministry shall be under the supervision of a Secretary. (4) During his tenure of office, no Minister or Deputy Minister shall directly or indirectly hold any other public office or any paid office in the employment of any person. - 42 -