Mnangagwa cracks whip on civil servants

Newly inaugurated President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has cracked the whip on all government employees saying his government will not longer reward laziness, a sign that Zimbabwe is ready to reform, Business Daily reported.

Addressing thousands of Zimbabweans, regional leaders and former leaders, diplomats and members of the business community at the giant National Sports Stadium in Harare just after taking the oath of office this afternoon, Mnangagwa, said civil servants should earn every minute spent at work.

Mnangagwa said: "public service workers must be ready to work. We have an economy to recover, people to serve. Gone are the days of absentism and extortion. A new culture must now inform our operations. Acts of corruption must stop. Whenever they occur, swift, swift, swift justice must come."

"To our civil servants, it cannot be business as usual. You now have to roll up your sleeves in readiness to deliver. We have an economy to recover, a people to serve. Each and every one of us must now earn every hour, day, week and month at work. Gone are the days of absenteeism and desultory application, days of unduly delaying and forestalling decisions and services in the hope of extorting dirty rewards," said Mnangagwa.

He called upon all government departments to entrench a new culture of being proactive and flexible as red tape was hindering economic progress in the previous administration.

This resonates with his servant leadership approach that has already become part of his speeches since the inaugural speech at the Zanu PF headquarters three days ago. He also cracked the whip on corrupt authorities, threatening swift prosecution.

Mnangagwa said it is no longer business as usual as he intends to work with every progressive individual, nation and investor to rebuild the Zimbabwean economy.

Mnangagwa sounded pro-business and more than ready to hit the ground running in changing the fortunes of the nation that has faced several hardships in the past decades.

The President also said he is a servant of everyone regardless of skin colour, gender and political affiliation, adding that all Zimbabweans must come together to rebuild Zimbabwe.

"During my time as President, I will serve everyone who calls and considers Zimbabwe their home. I call for everyone to come together and play a part as we rebuild our beloved nation. Every citizen must feel safe and free to work for the development of Zimbabwe. Key personnel who left the country must now come back and participate in the broad economic turnaround," he said.