Zimbabwe PM Tsvangirai Threatens to Name and Shame Under-Performing Ministers
Tsvangirai says he’s concerned at the slow pace of reforms he says should be in place in time for the country's next elections
The statement comes as Information Minister Webster Shamu ignored calls from Mr. Tsvangirai to implement media reforms the Prime Minister says he agreed with President Robert Mugabe needed to be done immediately Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Tuesday pledged to evaluate performances of ministers, naming and shaming those who are either under-performing or deliberately not implementing agreed government policies. The statement comes as Information Minister Webster Shamu ignored calls from Mr. Tsvangirai to implement media reforms the Prime Minister says he agreed with President Robert Mugabe needed to be done immediately. In his monthly report to parliament, Mr. Tsvangirai said the move is intended to enable the House to hold the executive to account. He said there were some ministers who do not take parliament business seriously, adding he will ensure that all ministers attend parliament and answer questions as is required. "This is the last time I am making a monthly statement in this House without naming and shaming those Ministries that are either under-performing or have chosen to give scant attention to the implementation of agreed programs and policies," said Mr. Tsvangirai. "This is not to embarrass anyone, but to enable Parliament to hold the executive to account." Mr. Tsvangirai called on the legislature to move with speed and pass important laws such as the Electoral Amendment and the Human Rights bills ahead of possible polls that Mr. Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party want this year. He expressed concern at the slow pace of reforms in the country, saying these should be implemented soon if the country is to have peaceful free and fair elections. Mr. Tsvangirai said mixed messages from the government, particularly on issue of indigenization, were affecting the flow of investing into the country. And in apparent reference to the on-going incarceration of lawmakers who allegedly abused the community development fund, the Prime Minister said there would be no sacred cows. "Any corrupt person should face justice regardless of whether they are MPs or Ministers and we hope that there won’t be efforts to slow down the wheels of justice or to protect corrupt people from being exposed and arrested," said Mr. Tsvangirai. Answering a question from Mutare South legislator Fred Kanzama on why the Global Political Agreement remained in force three years after the formation of the unity government, Mr. Tsvangirai said the GPA had no timeline and only elections can invalidate the agreement. On the contentious sanctions issue, Mr. Tsvangirai said the government is engaging the international community to have them lifted. But he stressed Harare must first address issues that led to the imposition of the targeted measures.