Addressing permanent secretaries and principal directors for ministries during an induction workshop in Harare, Civil Service Commission chairperson Dr Vincent Hungwe announced term limits for permanent secretaries.
Hungwe said Government has put permanent secretaries on performance-based five-year contracts which can only be renewed once subject to delivery. He also said no permanent secretary would serve beyond the mandatory 65 years of retirement, unless there were compelling reasons. Said Hungwe:
The new ethos no longer provides for permanent secretaries appointed for an indefinite period, but instead, envisages ‘Performing Secretaries’ who are appointed on fixed five year term contracts, renewable only once, subject to performance and delivery. They cannot be taken beyond the mandatory retirement age of 65. Only in exceptional circumstances, only in circumstances merited by the exclusive possession of outstanding skills and competencies would one be considered for engagement on an annual contract beyond their retirement age of 65.
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