President Emmerson Mnangagwa has issued a stern warning to ministers who have been skipping Cabinet meetings and committees. Speaking at the 41st and final Cabinet meeting of the year at State House, Mnanagagwa emphasized the importance of regular attendance, describing it as a critical part of government operations.
The President reminded ministers that timely submission of documents and active participation in meetings are essential for smooth governance. To ensure compliance, Mnangagwa tasked Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, with closely monitoring attendance starting in 2025.
“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 added
He directed the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya to monitor Ministers’ attendance at the meetings starting in 2025.
“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.
Mnangagwa also highlighted the need to empower deputy ministers, urging ministers to adequately brief their deputies when assigning them to represent the government.
“In cases where Deputy Ministers are assigned, they should be adequately capacitated to enable active participation in the requisite deliberations,” President Mnangagwa added.
He said that going forward, deputy ministers will be required to sign performance contracts.
“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.
