Source: Cabinet ministers, public sector heads under scrutiny – herald
Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has once again placed Cabinet ministers and heads of public sector agencies under scrutiny as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to entrench accountability and results-driven leadership across Government.
Ministers and senior public officials are expected to sign their 2026 performance contracts next week at a ceremony in Harare, where top-performing Government leaders from the previous cycle will also be honoured.
In a statement, Government confirmed that the ceremony, scheduled for Monday at Rainbow Towers, forms part of ongoing efforts to accelerate national development programmes under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and the drive towards achieving Vision 2030.
The initiative reflects the Second Republic’s emphasis on transparency and accountability, with the performance of public officials regularly monitored and evaluated to ensure the delivery of tangible results.
“Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency the President, Zimbabwe is making steady progress towards becoming a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030,” reads part of the statement. “This journey is part of a larger global vision, aligning with SADC’s Vision 2050, Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
Performance contracts were introduced by President Mnangagwa in 2021 as part of reforms aimed at strengthening accountability, improving efficiency and ensuring measurable outcomes in public service delivery.
Under the system, ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of public entities commit to clearly defined targets aligned with national development priorities.
Their performance is assessed quarterly, bi-annually and annually. The evaluation process covers thousands of Government projects across sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism and financial services as the country transitions from NDS1 to the second phase of its development blueprint.
Last year, more than 6 000 projects across 14 thematic areas — implemented since the introduction of performance contracts in 2021 — were closely monitored, evaluated and awarded.
Government said the contracts remain a key tool in driving delivery across ministries, departments and agencies as the country pursues accelerated development.
“To keep this momentum going, accountability remains the key factor,” the statement read.
“Under the NDS2, the Government continues to use Performance Contracts to monitor, measure and evaluate thousands of projects across all sectors of the economy. These contracts ensure that every leader is held responsible for delivering tangible results that improve the livelihoods of Zimbabweans through economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation.”
President Mnangagwa has consistently emphasised the need for measurable results in public service.
Speaking at the first Cabinet meeting of 2026 last month, he urged ministers to remain accountable to the people.
“We must all focus on achieving a single national vision and realisation of the objectives outlined in NDS2,” he said.
“I will not accept unwarranted rigidity, inflated individualities and misalignment or bureaucratic lethargy that frustrates progress, from yourselves individually, or the ministries, departments and agencies over which you superintend.
“We are answerable to the people of our great motherland, Zimbabwe and accountable governance must be encouraged going forward. Let us all remain guided by the principle of servant leadership and our national development philosophy, ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.’”
During last year’s ceremony, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona emerged as the best-performing Cabinet minister after leading major infrastructure rehabilitation programmes, particularly in the road sector and the turnaround of transport-related State enterprises.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka was the first runner-up, while the then Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare — now Energy and Power Development Minister — July Moyo finished as second runner-up.
Among permanent secretaries, Engineer Joy Makumbe from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development was named the best-performing permanent secretary. Professor Obert Jiri from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development was first runner-up, and Mrs Mavis Sibanda (Women Affairs) was second runner-up.
In the category of Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira of Masvingo Province emerged as the top performer, with Evelyn Ndlovu of Matabeleland South taking second place.
Other outstanding performers included Mr Tinotenda Mhiko, chief executive officer of the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), who topped the State-owned enterprises CEOs category, while Mr Shingai Mutumbwa of the National Building Society was recognised among the best-performing board chairpersons.
The annual ceremony is designed to reinforce a culture of excellence, servant leadership and professionalism within the public sector as the country accelerates the implementation of key development programmes.
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