The ManicaPost
From Abel Zhakata in Mutare
ZANU-PF’s Secretary for Administration, Dr Ignatius Chombo, has called on staffers in his department to put their house in order and revamp the administrative systems of the ruling party to enhance vibrancy, efficiency and best practice.
Addressing secretaries for administration (district and provincial) as well as chairperson of the party in Manicaland at a workshop held in Mutare today Dr Chombo said the strategic workshops were meant to build a strong cohesive provincial administration team.
He said a sound administration will help the party institute efficiently early warning systems, correctly project election patterns and results in addition to mounting an effective campaign and mobilization strategy.
“If you recall at the 6th National People’s Congress, the President and First Secretary of Zanu-PF, Cde Mugabe, lamented the state of the party’s administration. At the same congress it was then resolved to ‘enhance the party to institute sound administrative system and procedures to enhance efficiency, improve service delivery, accountability and equity at all levels of the party administration’.
“The party’s constitution also obligates the secretary for administration to supervise and co-ordinate the overall efficiency of the party machinery. These exhortations and directives gives us the secretariat a mammoth challenge, that of revamping the administrative systems of the party to enhance vibrancy, efficiency and best practice. There is need for the party to be organized and be systematic in its record keeping and communication channels as well as in its accountability of party resources. This is the primary responsibility of the chairperson with assistance of the secretary of administration and secretary for finance,” he said, and added:
“In aid of the above realities the department of administration saw it fit to have workshops and then follow it up with provincial visits such as this one. It is my wish through this visit, for us to have role clarity, share ideas and examine current systems, experiences and guide each other on how the department can work in a methodical, synchronized manner with provincial and district offices.”
Cde Chombo said there was need to promote the culture of best practice within the party.
“There are always advantages derived from a culture of doing things right all the time and it will be most appreciated if we were all, with one accord, to adapt, such as a work ethic. It is of paramount importance that we work within parameters of best practice as we play our part in servicing the party and its broad membership. It is my considered view that in all undertaking as administration we should operate in sync with President Mugabe’s admonition during the 6th National People’s Congress when he emphatically bemoaned the shambolic state of the party’s administration. Sound and efficient party administration should be our everyday motto,” he said.
Dr Chombo was accompanied by directors and senior officers from the party’s headquarters who were tasked to assist the provincial team on how to improve the way they conduct business as well as alert them on what they are expected to do and achieve.
“In May we were able to visit Mashonaland West, then Mashonaland East in June and we managed to pick and correct several issues among them some concerns about the welfare of employees. Chief among them were issues of accommodation, medical aid and funeral assistance. As I speak head office is nearing closure on a 100 percent employer contributed funeral assistance police for each employee and their spouse. We are also interrogating the possibility of moving the medical aid contributions to another insurer. The employee social welfare committee has been mandated with engaging all local authorities with the view of securing housing stands for party employees in areas they reside or work.
“Concerns were also raised about the party card. I am aware that quite a number of people paid for the new electronic party card but have not yet been issued with one. Let me assure you that the departments of administration, commissariat and finance are ceased with the matter and this will be corrected soon. Let me take this opportunity to remind you that the main purpose of Zanu-PF and hence our presence here is to win elections and govern Zimbabwe.”
The workshop was also attended by the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Cde Mandi Chimene.
