Mnangagwa goes after rogue ministers, threatens “dire consequences”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has issued a stern warning to cabinet ministers who consistently absent themselves from meetings, threatening “dire consequences” for those who fail to take their responsibilities seriously.

In his closing remarks at the last cabinet meeting for the year 2024, held at State House on Tuesday, Mnangagwa expressed concern over the “worrisome tendency” by ministers and senior officials to skip meetings, delegating junior officials to attend instead.

“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,” the President said.

“In some cases, junior officials are delegated to attend and merely ‘bench-warm’ 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.”

The President added that cabinet business takes precedence over all other business and warned ministers that they will be held accountable for their attendance and participation in meetings.

In a bid to enhance accountability, Mnangagwa directed that deputy ministers must sign performance contracts in the 2025 programme cycle and going forward.

Ministers have been tasked with ensuring that their deputies are comprehensively briefed on government business and given the latitude for effective involvement.

“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,” the President said.

“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 Contracts.

“It is incumbent upon ministers to ensure that their deputies are comprehensively briefed on government business and given the latitude for effective involvement.”