TellZim Reporter
With the government aiming at achieving an upper middle income economy by 2030, various government departments are expected to contribute largely towards achieving the goal. Most government departments work hand in hand and complement each other’s efforts to promote development. However, for any meaningful development to take place, communication is key. The general public ought to know what government plans so that they take part. On this note, provincial head of departments are responsible for dissemination of information to the public and the best way is through the media. However, while some of these head of departments are keen to share information, others always find excuses even on the simplest and most positive development. This week TellZim News is rating provincial head of departments basing on their ability to release information
Information Department
The Provincial Information Officer (PRO) Rodgers Irimayi is one of the most key government spokespersons in the province. He gets information from all government departments and from his lieutenants in the District called District Information Officers (DIOs) and he reports directly to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services. So his relations with the media is a key driver in terms of information dissemination in the province.
During the Covid-19 lockdowns, he was the provincial taskforce spokesperson and provided information on behalf of the ministry of health and child care. He also had information from the law enforcement agents which he cascaded to the media which in turn share with the communities. He also facilitated for smooth travelling of journalists who were often harassed by the law enforcement agents. However, he has always been above average in terms of information dissemination. He is open and always gives information where possible. The only time he fails to provide information is when he says he is yet to get information probably from those on the ground. Irimayi gets 8/10 since he works closely with the media. He provides government diaries or events to the media. However, like any government department, sometimes he does gatekeeping and avoids answering critical questions.
Education
Masvingo Provincial Education Director (PED) Shyllate Mhike is heading the Ministry of Primary Education department on acting basis. She is fair in terms of information dissemination and she gets 6/10. She talks to the media, invites the media to some events organised by the Ministry. She always points out that she cannot give comments to some of the issues which could be negative in nature. She is also open to in-depth interviews and always honour appointments. She gives information in terms of state of preparedness in schools, which is critical.
Police
Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa gets 7/10. His office is open to all media practitioners and he relates with media personnel very well to the extent that he knows most of them by name. He always gives information and comments to matters within his jurisdiction and refers those that need to be commented at national level. Dhewa invites the media to events organised by the police or some operations carried out by the police and worth media attendance and publishing. However, he also practices gatekeeping on some issues which the media may feel to be critical for the public to know.
Registry
Provincial Registrar Sithembeni Chitsa gets 6/10. Her engagement with the media is average though she usually does not respond to issues related to the processing of passports which she says is guided by the policies that are formulated from head office and only implement. There are no times when the local registry department gives even a press release or new developments to the media despite it being a key department especially towards elections where identity documents are required for voter registration.
Vet Department
Provincial Vet Officer Kudakwashe Makwangudze is one of the worst in the province; he is however improving as he now gives comment here and there. Makwangudze gets 3/10. He never gives news tips to the media and always waits to be called and refuses to comment even on serious issues like outbreak of the January diseases. Under normal circumstances, his office should be open and should always engage the media to give farmers information on the best practices in relation to livestock. Makwangudze says he does not entertain questions via the phone and usually invites reporters to his office. However, when one tries to book an appointment he always says he is busy or is out of office. Sometimes he doesn’t answer his cell.
Transport
Provincial Roads Engineer Peter R Mukome gets 3/10. He does not not speak to the media and when called for comments on state of roads in the province. With roads developments currently underway through the emergency roads rehabilitation programmes (ERRP), Mukome does not invite the media or update on the ongoing projects though people deserve to know what is happening in terms of roads rehabilitation.
Provincial Secretary
Provincial Secretary formerly Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC) Dr Jefta Sakupwanya is always busy and seldom has time for the media especially the private media. Being at the helm of the development programs, Dr Sakupwanya should be always in touch with the media so that people know the developments that are being done on the ground. He is in charge of the province. However when caught at the right time he answers questions though usually not to the satisfaction of the reporters. Dr Sakupwanya gets 5/10.
EMA
Though the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is often regarded as one of the most transparent organisations, Masvingo Provincial Manager Milton Muusha gets 4/10 as he is not that open to give comments to the media. However, his office holds press conferences and environmental campaigns where they invite the media. His problem is when he tosses around the media who will be seeking clarity or comments from his office to the PR office which will in turn refer back to him.
Agritex
The provincial Agritex officer Aaron Muchazivepi gets 2/10. He seldom gives comment to the media even some which are of public interest. With the current state of crops in Masvingo, farmers deserve to know what is happening in other areas and get advice and best practices that suit the current situation. However, Muchazivepi believes in the old ways of doing things where everything is centralised to Harare despite the fact that he is the one who gives reports from the province.
ZESA
The regional manager at Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) Gladys Hlatswayo gets 2/10. She never gives comment pertaining to the state of power supply locally. She always refer all the questions to the PR manager in Harare who in turn request all questions via email and never responds to them. With the frequency in power outages caused by load shedding or vandalism, people need to be kept in the loop on the on goings but the regional manager cannot even provide information of a transformer theft in a local location. The power company should consider setting up a local PR office to keep people up to date on the developments since people need to prepare than suffer losses related to power cutting.
Health
The Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeus Shamhu recently improved from how he used to operate in the past so he gets 4/10. Shamhu hardly picks calls and when he does, he always gives excuses. However, during the Covid-19 lockdowns, he sometimes released information relating to statistics but sometimes refused to give information related to policy issues. Health being a critical aspect in any community, the department is expected to be open and provide information to the public.
