He said it was critical for Cabinet ministers to realise
that Cabinet meetings take precedence over all other businesses they might
have.
The President said this yesterday while addressing the last
Cabinet meeting for the year.
He said while most ministers rose above their respective
sectoral interests in favour of achieving the common national good, there was a
worrisome tendency by some ministers and senior Government officials who were
not attending meetings.
“Let me however, hasten to emphasise that Cabinet processes
are anchored on the timely submission of vital documents and regular attendance
by Ministers and officials. These include both ad-hoc as well as standing
Cabinet Committees. The worrisome tendency by Ministers and senior officials to
absent themselves from meetings is untenable,” said President Mnangagwa.
“In some cases, junior officials are delegated to attend
and merely ‘warm bench’ the meetings. This culture is tantamount to dereliction
of duty. Permanent Secretaries should ensure that in their absence, only
directors and above should attend working party meetings.”
He directed the Chief Secretary in the Office of the
President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya to monitor Ministers’ attendance of
the 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,” said
President Mnangagwa.
He said Deputy Ministers should be adequately briefed to
help them represent the Government when they attend meetings.
“In cases where Deputy Ministers are assigned, they should
be adequately capacitated to enable active participation in the requisite
deliberations.
“To this end, I direct that in the 2025 programme cycle and
going forward, Deputy Ministers must now sign performance contractors. 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.
A few years ago, President Mnangagwa introduced performance
contracts for Cabinet Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and heads of parastatals
and State entities as a way of encouraging hard work and results oriented
workmanship.
He has also been conferring awards to top-performing
Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, and heads of Government departments as the
Second Republic continues to foster a culture of excellence, work ethic and
servant leadership in its quest to attain Vision 2030. Herald
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