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The decision by the ruling party Zanu-PF to introduce a performance appraisal system for its legislators in the Eighth Parliament is a commendable move. The decision is a confirmation that the party is taking seriously the issue of fulfilling the promises it made to the electorate during its campaigns for the just ended harmonised elections.
The Zanu-PF national chairman, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, said the party was committed to ensuring that the mandate it was given by the people who overwhelmingly voted for it was not betrayed. “The presidium is of the view that this massive mandate given to the President and Zanu-PF in the recently held harmonised elections must never be betrayed. It is therefore going to be necessary that every elected MP remains accountable to the people who gave us this massive mandate,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
He said in this regard each MP will be required to submit quarterly reports of his or her performance to the party to ensure the revolutionary party fulfils its promises to the electorate. Cde Khaya Moyo said this time around the party will want MPs and not “missing persons” to represent the people. He said it was crucial for MPs to stay with the people, listen to their grievances and ensure that their expectations regards service delivery are not compromised.
The national chairman said the party will set up inspection teams that will verify the authenticity of the reports from the MPs. The President Cde Mugabe in his inauguration speech last week said he was an emissary and servant of all Zimbabweans including those who did not vote for him. He said the people that included peasants, the unemployed youths, women, farmers and the businesspersons all had great expectations. “All these people have hopes and expectations which must reside and repose in my Presidency”, said Cde Mugabe.
The MPs like the President are servants of the people and people have high expectations that they will change their lives during their term of office. It is therefore incumbent upon each and every MP to ensure that they deliver so that at the end of the day the party is able to fulfil the promises it made to the electorate. The people, as rightly noted by Cde Khaya Moyo, are facing many challenges which include among others unemployment, erratic water supplies in cities and towns, poor road network, shortage of schools and clinics.
The people by voting these men and women to preside over their governance issues for the next five years, have hopes that these distinguished individuals are going to address many of their challenges. What is comforting is that the ruling party Zanu-PF has not taken for granted that its MPs will fulfil their mandate but has put in place a performance appraisal system to constantly check on their performance. The party through its election manifesto has set itself targets which it intends to meet and the details are in the public domain.
The President, Cde Mugabe, has already outlined the agenda for his Government which include among others improving conditions of service for the civil servants, revival of industries, employment creation through indigenisation and infrastructure development. There is therefore no reason to doubt that the party is committed to delivering on its promises.
The performance appraisal system should expose those selfish individuals who sought the office of MP to enrich themselves as opposed to serving the people. It is these bad apples that the party should get rid of to avoid betraying the people’s mandate.
Online Reporter