Mutorwa rebukes ministry cliques

Mutorwa rebukes ministry cliquesCommunication channels ''blocked'' at Agriculture Percy Msika, the new permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, has his work cut out for him. Agriculture minister John Mutorwa yesterday lashed out at his staff, saying that the formation of cliques in the ministry was dangerous and unacceptable.

Mutorwa was addressing staff members and introduced Percy Msika as the new permanent secretary of the ministry.

The ministry had been without a permanent secretary for the past 18 months. Mutorwa elaborated on the structure of the ministry and said there had to be respect for authority and channels of communication within the different directorates.

He said the channels of communication were being blocked by individuals and that would not be

allowed.

“We have many problems here and we do not talk to each other and there are those that hate each other.”

The minister said he had employees in his office crying because of the way they were treated by their supervisors and that would no longer be tolerated.

He warned staff that if he received a complaint they would be called to his office to explain.

The minister further stressed that staff members should have respect for one another.

He said he would not tolerate any discrimination based on skin colour, tribe or gender.

“Sometimes we get drunk because of our positions,” he warned.

According to him everybody should be treated with respect, irrespective of the position they hold.

“Even if you hate the person you work with, the person is a human being and should be treated fairly,” he said.

Mutorwa said the issue of delegation also needed to be addressed. “I am not the ministry. When I am gone for two weeks an issue cannot stand over for two weeks because I am not here,” he said. “Learn to delegate.”

Mutorwa said the ministry had an open-door policy, but the chain of command should be respected.

He also said that administrative bodies and administrative officials must act fairly and reasonably and comply with the requirement imposed by common law and any relevant legislation.



ELLANIE SMIT