Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
Performance contracting is not merely a formality but a powerful tool designed to help deliver real and measurable results that benefit communities.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of performance contracts by the City of Harare heads of departments and senior managers at Golden Conifer on Wednesday, Deputy Director Performance Management- Public Sector Reforms and Performance Management Department in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr Clayt Mantiziba said in Zimbabwe, performance contracting is part of a national effort to build a culture of excellence across the public sector.
“It links the work we do every day with the bigger vision set by the Government, which is Towards a Prosperous and Empowered Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030,” he said.
“This means that every goal and every task and every decision we make must contribute to this shared vision.”
Mr Mantiziba said performance contracts are agreements between the Government and the leaders who manage operations and services at the City of Harare.
“They clearly spell out what is expected, also your responsibilities, and the support the Government commits to providing,” he said.
“This initiative that you have made today shows a direct response to the pronouncement made by His Excellency President Dr Cde ED Mnangagwa on his call for a modern citizen-centred governance system which delivers efficiently and transparently.”
Mr Mantiziba said the National Development Strategy 2 has pushed the Government further to focus on impactful results that will transform lives by now looking at the 2025 evaluation and beyond, looking at 2030.
He said performance will be assessed not only by meeting the targets but also by how well services are delivered, how well resources are managed and how reforms are implemented reforms and then address cross-cutting issues affecting the people.
The Chief Director Local Authorities and Inspectorate in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Mr Khonzani Ncube, said the Government has witnessed declining standards, inefficiencies and in some cases failure to meet expectations of communities that local authorities are entrusted to serve.
“This situation is neither sustainable or acceptable. One of the most visible indicators of the decline has been in the area of solid waste,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by Principal Administrative Officer Mr Kelvin Mayoyo.
“I remember the Government had to declare a state of disaster at one point, but the city had improved in the area of solid waste. We still have a lot to do, and we should continue doing that.
“In response to these challenges, the Government has taken deliberate and structured measures to reset the performance framework within which local authorities operate.”
Mr Ncube said the Government will be introducing the citizen and community scorecards, which are expected to enhance transparency, strengthen trust and ensure service delivery is responsive to the real needs of the people.
He said the ministry will be establishing a local Government institute, which will play a critical role in training and equipping councillors and technical staff with skills, knowledge and professional standards required to deliver effectively.
He said the ministry has since directed that the strength of municipal police be urgently reviewed and addressed.
“This will be done through deliberate modernisation and capacity building initiatives, ensuring that our enforcement arms are adequately equipped, professional and responsive to the needs of communities.
“Effective local governance cannot exist without order, compliance and compliance with by-laws at the community level,” said Mr Ncube.
