President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged local authorities to shun corruption and instead, strive to be centres of excellence that provide leadership and innovative best practices.
Addressing more than 2,000 councillors from all 92 local authorities at the Zimbabwe Local Government Association, “All Councillors Indaba” held in Harare on Tuesday, November 26, Mnangagwa warned that corrupt councillors will face the full wrath of the law. He said (via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/corruption-in-councils-president-cracks-whip/">The Herald</a>):
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I am deeply concerned by cases of corruption in the local government space and the entire society.
Those perpetrating such acts must face the full wrath of our country’s law. No one, including local authorities, will be spared. Let us root out this menace from our society.
All local authorities; urban or rural, big or small, remain an integral cog of the local governance system.
You should, therefore, operate in unison, always collaborating, sharing experiences and sharpening yourselves towards responsive policy-making at the grassroots level for the benefit of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.
As institutions leading the implementation of service delivery, I expect you to be centres of excellence, providing leadership and innovative best practices across the local governance spectrum.
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Mnangagwa urged councils to be responsive to residents’ demands for sustainable, efficient, and affordable services, emphasizing the importance of regular consultations with the public.
He also commended the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for working with the Chitepo School of Ideology in training Mayors, Council Chairpersons, and Executives. He said:
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We are a nation born out of the invaluable sacrifices of many gallant sons and daughters. We will never divorce ourselves from that enduring reality.
I applaud the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for collaborating with the Chitepo School of Ideology, to train mayors, council chairpersons and executives.
This initiative seeks to advance our shared national vision, interests and priorities within the public sector, as enshrined in our national Constitution.
</blockquote>
Mnangagwa called on all Government tiers to effectively participate in disaster risk management, especially following the commencement of the 2024/2025 rainfall season.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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President Mnangagwa wants local councils to be very good and not corrupt. He told over 2,000 councillors to work together and be great leaders. He said anyone caught being corrupt will be punished. He also wants councils to listen to people and provide good services. The President praised the training of mayors and council leaders. He also asked everyone to be ready for disasters in the rainy season. Everyone needs to work together to make Zimbabwe a better place.

Mnangagwa Challenges Councils To Adopt Best Practices And Eradicate Corruption

The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) has condemned local authorities for shoddy work on some road rehabilitation projects that are undertaken using funds disbursed by ZINARA.
In a statement, ZINARA also chided local authorities for overcommitting or signing contracts that are way above the resources allocated. ZINARA said:
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Another area of concern noted by ZINARA in 2022 was the low quality of work by some local authorities.
There is a need for local authorities contractors to ensure sustainable quality work because the resources that ZINARA has are limited compared to the work that needs to be done on our roads.
Analysis of the 2022 disbursement statistical data, ZINARA noted that some local authorities overcommitted and entered contracts that were way above their allocations.
Going forward, ZINARA urges the local authorities to budget within their allocations and ensure timely acquittals of disbursed funds.
This is prudentially important in terms of value preservation of their allocated funds.
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ZINARA has unveiled ZWL$93 billion towards road rehabilitation and maintenance this year while over ZWL$30 billion was disbursed to local authorities last year.
According to the latest funding disbursement report issued by ZINARA on Sunday, 22 January 2023, Harare Metropolitan Province received the highest funding of $1.73 billion in 2022.
Matabeleland region, which includes Bulawayo and sister provinces of Matabeleland North and South, got a combined total of $1.24 billion.
Matabeleland North Province received $422.9 million, with Victoria Falls receiving the highest amount of $120.8 million for road rehabilitation and maintenance under the urban councils’ category in the province.
Umguza Rural District Council got the lion’s share among rural local authorities in Mat’ North Province. It received $70.9 million. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/zinara-blasts-councils-over-shoddy-jobs/">Chronicle</a>

ZINARA Condemns Local Authorities Over Poor Workmanship On Road Projects

Some local authorities are reportedly still charging services in foreign currency in defiance of a Government directive to charge all services in local currency.
The local authorities say they haven’t received the order from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to charge all services in Zimbabwe dollars.
Local Government Permanent Secretary, Zvinechimwe Churu, told <a href="https://www.businessweekly.co.zw/local-authorities-defy-treasury-directive-they-continue-charging-in-forex/">Business Weekly</a> that the Government was aware of resistance by some local authorities.
He said they will soon write letters directing local authorities to comply with the directive recently issued by Finance and Economic Development Ministry. Said Churu:
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But this will be a redundant directive because the circular (Treasury) is clear and the law is clear.
Asking the ministry to issue a circular is asking for too much supervision… it’s unnecessary but we are writing (to) them.
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Last week, Treasury directed all Government departments, agencies and local authorities that all their services should be charged in Zimbabwe dollars.
The Treasury can, however, grant exemptions.

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