Government and Zanu PF officials unite to accelerate Zimbabwe’s economic development goals

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa’s vision of a middle-income Zimbabwe by 2030 requires a united front between civil servants and Zanu-PF executives. Both groups must collaborate seamlessly to implement government policies and drive economic progress, an official has said.

Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Lovemore Matuke, said this yesterday while presiding over a meeting between the Bulawayo Provincial Development Committee and the party’s Provincial Coordinating Committee at Mhlahlandlela Government Complex.

This marked the first time the Government organised such a meeting, attended by Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube, who led the Government delegation, while Cde Jabulani Sibanda headed the Zanu-PF provincial leadership.

Minister Matuke stated that civil servants should recognise that they are implementing the policies of the Zanu-PF Government and are expected to align with its vision. He highlighted that the current agenda is to ensure the country attains Vision 2030, two years earlier than initially planned, as President Mnangagwa has already outlined.

Minister Matuke, who is also the Secretary for Security in the Politburo, stressed the importance of civil servants understanding the structure of the ruling party, noting that Politburo members hold higher positions compared to ministers.

“In every country, the ruling party forms the Government of the day. In our case, we have a Zanu-PF Government responsible for delivery both as a party and the Government. Therefore, we believe party officials and Government officials are both stakeholders in the Government. The purpose of the meeting is to close the gap and ensure we carry out our development projects without any discord,” said Minister Matuke.

“Remember, we all implement policies that originate from the party through the party conference, party congress, and manifesto. The Government of the day, created by the ruling party, is responsible and accountable for development. If there is a gap between the two, we are bound not to move forward. This meeting creates a conducive working environment to ensure both entities work hand in hand.”

He noted that currently, there is a gap in the appreciation of what the Government is doing, especially within the party, due to a lack of relationship between civil servants and party executive members.

“There are numerous programmes that the Government is undertaking, but these programmes are not known by the people we are accountable to. However, if there is a relationship between the PDC and PCC, there would be clear communication of what the Government is doing for the people. I also want Government workers to understand that the party is supreme to the Government.

Politburo members hold higher positions than ministers. The respect civil servants give to Ministers should be the same respect they give to Politburo members and other party members,” he said.

Minister Matuke also called for various secretaries of the ruling party to respect Government officials and involve them when implementing their programmes. He stated that both party members and civil servants are answerable to the President, who carries the mandate to govern.

“We have one President who is the President of the party and also the President of the country. He has appointed ministers of state to coordinate the implementation of projects in the province. Therefore, we wanted the party, represented by provincial chairpersons, and the Minister of State, representing the Government, to work together,” he said.

Minister Matuke said that President Mnangagwa has instructed Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution to hold four meetings per year, where they address Government officials, heads of departments in ministries, and Provincial Coordinating Committees members in Zanu-PF.
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