By Elvis Dumba
Harare- President Emmerson Mnangagwa showed his displeasure over some Cabinet Ministers who were in the habit of bunking meetings meant to steer government business.
President Mnangagwa addressed the last cabinet meeting of the year yesterday where he emphasised timely submission and regular attendance by Ministers to Cabinet processes.
“Cabinet processes are anchored on the timely submission of vital documents and regular attendance by Ministers and officials, these include to both ad-hoc as well as standing cabinet committees, the worrisome trend by Ministers and Senior officials to absentee themselves from meetings is untenable in some cases junior officials are delegated to attend and merely “bench-warm” the meetings” The President said
The President has since directed that only grades of directors and above can be delegated to the working party meetings.
“In the 2025 calendar year the Chief Secretary is directed to strictly monitor individual attendance and ensure that errant Ministers and officials toe the line or risk dire consequences. Ministers should remain mindful that cabinet business takes precedence over all other business”
President Mnangagwa has called for the deputy ministers to be adequately informed for active participation if they are delegated to the meetings.
“I direct that in the 2025 programmed cycle going and going forward, Deputy Ministers must now sign performance contracts. It is incumbent upon Ministers to ensure that their deputies are comprehensively briefed on Government business and given the latitude for effective involvement” he said.
About Author
