Harare – President Emmerson Mnangagwa opened the first Cabinet meeting of 2026 with a stern directive for accelerated government action, declaring intolerance for bureaucratic delays and complacency while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to a “people‑centred” development trajectory.

Speaking at the newly operational Official Cabinet Office on Tuesday, the President set a demanding tone for the year, warning ministers that sitting on documents or projects would “not be condoned.” He ordered the speeding up of all processes and underscored that attendance at Cabinet and Cabinet Committee meetings was now mandatory.

“The trust given by the citizenry must be honoured,” Mnangagwa stated, reminding his cabinet that their decisions directly impact the nation. He emphasised that “patriotism, unity of purpose, hard honest work, and resilience” must be harnessed anew to sustain the momentum towards the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030 goals.

In a significant move for the business community, the President directed that the long‑awaited reduction of license fees be finalized within the first quarter of 2026 to “open space for business.” He further challenged all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to deepen engagement with the private sector.

The address contained sharp warnings against internal friction. Mnangagwa cautioned ministers to avoid “petty competitiveness” and work with “better synergy and complementarity,” stressing a single-minded focus on national goals. He explicitly warned that poor representation by deputy ministers at meetings would be blamed on the principal minister.

Turning to the media, the President issued a dual challenge, calling on the Fourth Estate to “play its role responsibly” and to “uphold responsible journalism,” placing the national interest at the centre of reporting.

On agricultural prospects, Mnangagwa noted the current favourable rain patterns and anticipated a successful season. He instructed responsible ministers to swiftly consolidate reports on any negative weather effects so that affected communities could be assisted promptly. He also extended solidarity and pledged support to neighbouring SADC nations experiencing adverse conditions, affirming the principles of Ubuntu and regional cooperation.

Concluding his opening remarks, the President formally declared the 2026 Cabinet calendar open, commending the continuation of the post‑Cabinet briefing system. He required ministers to submit schedules for projects needing his presence well in advance, noting that “sporadic invitations for commissioning events will be unwelcome.