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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
MATABELELAND South Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Abednico Ncube has urged government workers to support President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision to revive the economy and not be misled by unions that are not concerned with development.
Addressing heads of government departments in Matabeleland South Province yesterday, Cde Ncube said people have to be patient while President Mnangagwa implements various strategies to turn around the economy.
“We don’t want to hear anything about demonstrations from you as civil servants. This is our Government and we have to support it. Our President is trying by all means to resuscitate the economy and ensure that everyone benefits regardless of political affiliation,” he said.
“Let’s bear in mind that President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently came into office and he found the nation in a dire state. He’s in the process of fixing all of this but it won’t happen overnight. As Government we are not saying people shouldn’t demand improvement of services but there is a process we have to go through in order to attain this. People should also communicate their grievances in a peaceful and civilised manner.”
Cde Ncube urged people in the province to ignore any calls for a strike as that would only destroy the nation instead of developing it.
He urged departmental heads to remain united and dedicated to their work in order to develop the province.
“There were demonstrations and people were not willing to report for work, this is the attitude that we don’t want. I’m aware that in schools teachers are not conducting lessons and children are being turned back home. If these teachers are not willing to report for duty they will be replaced by scores of qualified teachers who are looking for jobs,” said the Minister.
“I’m also aware that some hospital staff are reporting for work in their civilian clothes which is a sign of being rebellious. Don’t allow unions to mislead you because the Government is for everyone. The devolution programme is coming soon where we are supposed to develop our province but how will we develop our area if we are not united.”
Cde Ncube urged heads of government departments to be unifiers and not destroyers, adding that shops and transporters that were over charging will face the wrath of the law.
He urged departments that had their provincial offices situated in Bulawayo to relocate to Gwanda as it is the provincial capital.
“As government departments let’s not sleep on duty as we expect you to deliver. To those with their provincial offices in Bulawayo, can you decentralise to Matabeleland South because you can’t say you work in the province when you are not on the ground and don’t have first hand information on what is happening. You should move your offices to Gwanda which is the provincial capital,” Cde Ncube said.
He also urged government departments to observe the National Clean Up Day which is commemorated on the first Friday of each month.
– @DubeMatutu
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