Internal Affairs Ministry picks new titles, names for Staff and Departments

_______________

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has changed the titles of its staff and departments, in line with the government’s ongoing Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) initiative.

According to the ministry spokesperson Simon Mundeyi, the changes, which were unveiled on Wednesday, are intended to streamline public service delivery and improve how the ministry interfaces with the public, particularly in cases involving official correspondence.

Mundeyi adds that the restructuring includes renaming key departments and re-designating personnel to align with RAPEX objectives of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Departmental names

The Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) has been renamed the National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC).

The National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO Bureau) is now referred to as the Department of NGO Management, while the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory (DGAL) becomes the Government Analytical Laboratory.

In addition, the Directorate of Community Service has been renamed the Department of Community Service.

Titles for key officials

Personnel titles have also been revised. For instance:

The Director of Citizenship and Immigration Control is now the Chief of Citizenship and Immigration Control.

The Director of Government Analytical Laboratory is now the Chief Government Chemist.

The Director of Community Service has become the Commissioner of Community Service.

The Executive Director of the NGO Bureau is now the Commissioner for NGO Management.

Further adjustments include: The Commissioner for Citizenship and Immigration Control becoming the Commissioner for Borders and Foreign Nationals Management. The Commissioner for Legal and Inspection Services is now designated as the Commissioner for Inspection and Compliance.

“These changes reflect our commitment to streamlining operations and enhancing service delivery under the RAPEX framework,” the ministry said in an official statement. “The Ministry of Internal Affairs remains dedicated to serving the public with efficiency and transparency.”

Background on RAPEX

RAPEX is a government-led reform initiative adopted on February 22, 2021, and later approved by Parliament in July 2024 through the passage of various implementing bills. The policy is aimed at streamlining public expenditure, reducing duplication of roles across government agencies, and improving overall service delivery.

The initiative involves merging, restructuring, or dissolving certain agencies whose roles overlap with those of parent ministries, in order to cut costs and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies.

As part of the rationalisation process, 12 agencies had their functions fully integrated into their parent ministries. Several other agencies retained autonomy but were directed to implement internal efficiency measures.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is among several ministries absorbing staff and functions from formerly autonomous agencies. Other affected ministries include: Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and Ministry of Public Service

The government says the ultimate goal of the rationalisation is to ease the financial burden of running numerous agencies and redirect resources toward better, more accountable service delivery.