SPEECH
BY
THE PRESIDENT, HIS EXCELLENCY,
DR. E. D. MNANGAGWA
AT
THE LAUNCH OF THE CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT
AND SCORING PLATFORM
HARARE
18 JUNE 2026Director of Ceremonies;
Vice President, Hon. Gen. (Rtd.) Dr.C. G. D. N. Chiwenga;
Vice President, Hon. Col. (Rtd.) Dr. K. C. D. Mohadi;
National Chairman of ZANU PF and Minister of Defence,
Hon. O. C. Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri;
Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province,
Hon. Sen. C. Z. Tawengwa;
Minister of Local Government and Public Works,
Hon. D. Garwe;
Honourable Ministers;
Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet,
Dr. M. Rushwaya;
Senior Government Officials;
Mayors and Chairpersons of Local Authorities;
Town Clerks and Chief Executive Officers;
Resident’s Associations and Development Partners;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is with great pleasure that I join you today as we take yet another bold step to modernise our governance systems and transform public service delivery.
Today, we are not merely launching a digital platform, but deepening our democracy and participatory governance.
We are strengthening accountability and responsiveness of Local Authorities both in urban and rural areas.
As a Government ‘of the people, by the people’, we are amplifying the powerful principle that Government exists to serve its people.
The launch of the Citizen Engagement and Scoring Platform was preceded by milestones in our ongoing local governance reform agenda namely the; ‘Call to Action-
No Compromise to Service Delivery Blueprint’ and
‘Minimum Service Delivery Standards.’
These strategies are reflective of the Second Republic’s commitment to patriotism, hard honest work, professionalism, integrity and measurable results across all the sectors of public service.
Under the Call-to-Action Blueprint, every local authority and public institution, must ‘put the citizens first’. Quality service delivery must not be an after-thought.
It is the daily focus area around which our efforts should be directed for accelerated implementation of people centred programmes and projects.
Through the Minimum Service Delivery Standards, we have transformed the ‘Call to Action’ into concrete, and measurable benchmarks. To this end, Local Authorities should continue to provide quality services that are reflective of our national Vision of becoming a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society, by 2030. The Citizen Engagement and Scoring Platform, is set to shift governance from “being done for the people, ” to “being shaped with the people.”
Further, the platform re-affirms my Administration as a “listening Government.” All opinions, views or recommendation from rate payers, including private sector players, are vital towards bolstering our national development drive. Under ZANU PF, the voices of the people, their needs and aspirations will continue to be addressed without delay or vacillation.
It is within this context that the Citizen Engagement and Scoring Platform guarantees every Zimbabwean the opportunity to provide feedback, identify service gaps, and evaluate performance in real time, from across all communities. It stands as proof that we are walking the talk and leaving no one and no place behind.
Comrades;
The modernisation and industrialisation of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, demands that we speedily adapt new technologies and best practises.
Yesterday I had time to be exposed to the capabilities of the Citizen Engagement Scoring Board, embedded within the system. I congratulate our young innovators from the Harare Institute of Technology University, who developed the platform. The big data that can be derived from the interview questions will be useful to Government for broader policy planning.
I was equally impressed that the Platform ensures that technology, in particular Artificial Intelligence, is leveraged, to propel reforms and the modernisation of our systems towards increased trust between the citizens and Government.
It will equally, enhance the social contract between rate payers and Local Authorities. This should see greater convergence between the promises we make and the transformational impacts of our performance.
Ultimately, we should see improved outcomes, mutually beneficial decisions, as well as more inclusive and resilient societies.
The Citizen Engagement and Scoring Platform, must therefore, be viewed and effectively utilised as a concrete tool to build confidence and sustaining public trust. I invite citizens to embrace this system and hold Local Authorities accountable while also strengthening the fundamental principles of responsive, transparent and people-centred participatory governance.
During the presentation given to me by the Minister and his team, I noted with keen interest the sample recommendations proposed by the AI-enabled analytical tool. In my view, it is critically important that, as users, you all adapt proposals to our own local context and heritage-based governance model. We must remain grounded in our unique Zimbabwean identity and values as we adopt various ICT-solutions and global best practices.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Modern economies cannot thrive on outdated systems nor nations develop, prosper and flourish where service delivery is uneven, inconsistent, opaque, or selective.
As we progress towards Vision 2030, it is important that the institutionalisation and co-creation of modern ICT-enabled solutions, be prioritised.
Additionally, a sense of community and accountability, must guarantee that service delivery is equitable and inclusive, as provided for, under Chapter 9 of our national Constitution. Under my leadership, we are not going back on the requirement of a performance culture anchored on measurable results, citizen satisfaction and visible services.
Going forward, data which is the fuel of modern and technology driven economies, must guide decision-making and policy implementation. Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Councils, are now required to adopt systems that enable insights and feedback from citizens.
The public sector should give prompt responses, plan smarter and prudently use public resources, in alignment with the broader e-Government strategy and digital transformation agenda.
Let me be clear that this platform is not a fault-finding instrument. It is not a courtroom or an enquiry, but an essential professional barometer and analytical tool which must allow the timely correction of errors, oversight and lapses in service delivery, by Local Authorities.
To our public servants across Government, feedback is not an attack; it is guidance from the very people you are mandated to wholeheartedly serve. I, therefore, urge you to embrace this platform as your ally and a collaborative tool for accelerated delivery of services. Allow it to sharpen your focus and renew your commitment to professionalism, excellence, integrity and quality service delivery.
Accountability achieves its fullest impact when it is complemented by civic duty and responsible participation. To our citizens and would be users, may I reiterate that your voice matters.
However, constructive feedback towards strengthening public institutions, encouraging innovation, and exposing inefficiencies should always be the guiding motivation, and not malice. I encourage you, to utilise this Platform responsibly and constructively, mindful that nation- building is a shared responsibility. Your views should refine and improve systems as well as procedures, for the overall good of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.
We thank development partners and the private sector, for their valued support as we harness innovation to advance transparent, accountable, and citizen-centred governance.
The Call to Action, Minimum Service Delivery Standards, and now this, Citizen Engagement and Scoring Platform are not isolated initiatives, but evidence that my Administration listens; learns and adapts to evolving socio-economic, political and technological realities to deliver on its promises.
In concluding, as we create the requisite Local Authority ecosystem for the accelerated realisation of Vision 2030; I direct that we all re-commit ourselves to a work ethic and culture where listening is deliberate and citizen feedback, a catalyst for excellence in service delivery.
Accountability, integrity, efficiency and compassion must be imbedded in the character of all public officials.
This will not only strengthen trust between Government and citizens, but also lay a firm foundation for sustainable development and shared prosperity.
May this Platform serve as a symbol of our collective resolve to build a responsive, inclusive and knowledge driven society where all the people of our motherland, Zimbabwe, enjoy a prosperous and higher quality of life.
With these remarks, it is now my distinct honour and privilege to declare the Citizen Engagement and Scoring Platform officially launched.
God bless you.
God bless Zimbabwe.
I thank you.