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Government websites down: A barrier to business efficiency

Chronicle Writers

In an era where digital accessibility is paramount, several Government websites designed to provide the public with easy access to information are currently down, a situation that has raised significant concerns about the ease of doing business, particularly various administrative and regulatory processes.

Government websites serve as crucial portals offering a range of services including business registration, tax filing, access to legal documents, and public records. The convenience of these online services is that they save time, reduce paperwork, and streamline interactions with Government agencies. The downtime of Government websites also has broader implications for the country’s business environment as it undermines confidence in the digital infrastructure and can deter potential investors and entrepreneurs.

President Mnangagwa recently expressed his disappointment with the state of Government websites and emphasised the need for improved and proactive communication from ministries. 

During the last Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Mnangagwa highlighted the challenge of outdated and infrequently updated ministry websites, saying this creates a communication gap that hinders investment and business operations in Zimbabwe.

“It is a misnomer that with the abundant ICT skills and capacities among young people, our Government has only a few functional and up-to-date ministry websites. More should be done to improve this situation. Likewise, Government communication dissemination strategies and overall messaging must be improved,” said President Mnangagwa. 

The Government’s Internet Service Provider (GISP), responsible for hosting the official websites under the www.zim.gov.zw domain, is currently facing downtime. The duration of the outage remains unclear, but it is affecting access to the websites of many ministries, departments, and parastatals. 

While some ministries have established their own websites, many of these sites provide limited information, often only outlining their mandates without offering insight into how they are fulfilling them.

Chronicle has established that out of 25 ministries, only 12 have functional websites, while the rest are either down or not updated regularly. Some ministries have opted to host their own websites to ensure continued access to Government services and information. However, even these sites are not consistently updated.

Notably, the newly established Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle is yet to have a website. 

Of the 87 parastatals and Government agencies, most have functional and up-to-date websites. The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), for example, boasts one of the most interactive and informative websites, which is regularly updated to attract investors.

ZIDA’s corporate affairs manager Ms Judith Mbetu said effective communication is crucial for positioning Zimbabwe as a premier investment destination.

“For investors, clarity, consistency and accessibility of information are essential to mitigating risks and expediting investment decision-making processes. Through integrated communication systems including an interactive website, digital brochures and direct engagement platforms, ZIDA ensures that investors receive accurate and timely information,” she said.

Ms Mbetu said by proactively addressing investor queries and providing updates on key developments through its website and DIY Portal, ZIDA fosters confidence and cultivates lasting relationships with stakeholders. 

“The ability to clearly and effectively articulate Zimbabwe’s value proposition is vital in differentiating the country within an increasingly competitive global market. It is thus imperative for Government agencies to maintain updated websites as it promotes transparency,” she said.

Ms Mbetu said websites serve as critical gateways for stakeholders providing comprehensive information on sectoral opportunities, investment guidelines, and regulatory frameworks.

“A well-maintained digital platform enhances accessibility while reflecting an MDA (Ministry/Department/Agency)’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and stakeholder support,” she said.

“In today’s digital age, and also post the Covid-19 pandemic era, the world understands that a professional and up-to-date online presence significantly increases the competitiveness of any corporate or national entity.” 

Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera acknowledged the challenges and said her ministry is collaborating with the GISP to improve Government websites and email systems.

“We are working towards making sure that the President’s expectation of improving communication is a reality. While as a ministry we are not responsible for hosting websites, we will work closely with the Government Internet Service Provider, to host Government internet services,” she said.

“We are also pushing towards improving the Government email system. We want to improve the websites as well as the email system.” 

Despite the challenges with official websites, many ministries maintain active social media profiles on platforms like Twitter and Facebook, where they provide updates on Government programmes. However, some ministries have either abandoned their social media presence or lack one altogether. 

Bulawayo-based ICT expert, Mr Robert Ndlovu, emphasised the need for African governments to revolutionise their communication systems. He pointed out that many officials still use Gmail for official communication, which is not ideal for institutional data.

 “Government ICT departments across Africa face several key challenges. Many ministries rely on services like Gmail due to a lack of technical skills, unavailable or costly mail servers, and unreliable electricity for local hosting,” said Mr Ndlovu.

“Websites are often dysfunctional due to the absence of clear policies or enforcement of minimum standards, as well as inconsistent monitoring of compliance. Local website hosting policies remain unclear, leading to dependency on external solutions.”

Mr Ndlovu suggested conducting an urgent nationwide ICT audit to assess the state of infrastructure and improve Government connectivity.

“The Ministry of ICT could collaborate with the Zimstat to design surveys that capture accurate data from all departments and provinces. Recommendations include launching regionally inclusive seminars, engaging licensed Starlink operators, and standardising policies across ministries,” he said.

“Research and data-driven methodologies should inform e-government initiatives, ensuring connectivity is accessible and sustainable.”

The importance of functional websites and communication systems is underscored by the Freedom of Information Act, which requires public entities to share information with the public. 

Zimbabwe Institute of Public Relations (ZIPR) president Mr Thando Nkomo said functional websites are essential for maintaining an informed citizenry and ensuring Government accountability. 

“There can never be accountability without healthy information flow. When information flow is efficient, and all stakeholders can access information that addresses their information needs,” he said.

“Citizens need to know what Government agencies are doing in line with economic, social, and political priorities and websites of Government ministries become useful information dissemination tools to keep the information economy healthy.”

Mr Nkomo also noted that websites can help combat misinformation and disinformation, which has become rampant, especially in the post-Covid-19 era.

“The Covid-19 pandemic taught us that bottlenecks in access to verified official information lead to the spread of misinformation. Websites can thus play a critical role in being sources of verified information about government activities,” he said.

“If updated regularly, websites become important information sources for various stakeholders and the media which plays a major role in information dissemination.”

Mr Nkomo said there is a need for Government to address its communication challenges, aligning with both President Mnangagwa’s expectations and national laws, while emphasising the importance of up-to-date, functional websites for effective governance and public accountability. – @nqotshili and @bonganinkunzi 

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‘Dormant websites a barrier to efficiency’

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