The ministry's full title is Cyber Security, Threat Detection and Mitigation.

Zimbabweans reacted to the announcement in customary humour.

A fake letter with the signature and letterhead of the newly appointed cyber minister - Patrick Chinamasa - instructed all WhatsApp group members to register with the ministry by November.

The letter was signed "By The Cyber Powers Vested In Me".

Mr Mugabe's administration has been uneasy about social media after pastor Evan Mawararire spearheaded the #ThisFlag movement last year.

Using platforms like Twitter and Facebook it organised a stay-at-home demonstration, the biggest anti-government protest in a decade.

President Mugabe's spokesperson, George Charamba, says Mr Mugabe came up with the idea of a new ministry to deal with an "emerging threat to the state... a threat founded on abuse and unlawful conduct".