Mahere, who replaces Daniel Molokele, is among 16 other strategic appointments made as part of the opposition chief's attempts to sharpen the MDC Alliance's National Standing Committee which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the party.

In his appointments, Chamisa also deployed one-time party youth leader and now MP Happymore Chidziva as secretary for rural mobilisation and strategy in the president's office.

MP Concillia Chinanzvavana and David Chimhini were elevated to the positions of deputy secretary generals of the party.

Former minister Jameson Timba and ex-Daily News journalist Luke Tamborinyoka were appointed deputy secretaries for presidential affairs while one-time party youth leader Lovemore Chinoputsa was appointed deputy secretary for international relations and cooperation.

"The party has always had two deputy secretary generals and the current appointments focus on administration, presidential affairs, local governance and pays particular attention to rural communities.