Devolution is a key constitutional reform that seeks to decentralise governmental power and authority, enabling regional governments to manage their own affairs, including governance, financial decisions and development priorities. In Zimbabwe, devolution was meant to transfer responsibilities from the central government to provincial and local authorities, creating an empowered, transparent and inclusive system that allows citizens to participate in decision-making processes directly impacting their communities. Devolution is supposed to enhance accountability, foster local economic development and ensure equitable distribution of national resources across provinces.
The primary objectives of devolution in Zimbabwe are to:
Promote democratic governance by decentralising decision-making power.
Ensure fair and equitable allocation of national resources to all provinces.
Empower local communities to shape their developmental priorities and implement regional policies.
Foster transparency, accountability and efficiency in public service delivery.
Bridge the development gaps between urban and rural areas by ensuring local authorities have the financial and legislative power to address their unique challenges.
Promote national unity by giving all citizens a voice in the governance process.
The Zimbabwean Constitution, particularly in Chapter 14, establishes devolution as a foundational principle for governing the country. Section 264 mandates the decentralisation of governmental powers and responsibilities to local authorities. According to the Constitution, devolution should ensure that "governmental powers and responsibilities are devolved to provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities which are competent to carry out those responsibilities efficiently and effectively."
Section 264 also provides for the allocation of at least 5% of the national budget to provincial and local governments, giving them the financial capacity to carry out development projects, provide essential services and manage resources within their jurisdictions. Additionally, the Constitution emphasises that provincial councils must reflect the composition and diversity of the local population to ensure fair representation. Despite these clear constitutional mandates, the ruling ZANU-PF government has systematically undermined the principles of devolution through various strategies:
Centralised Control of Resources
Rather than allocating the constitutionally required 5% of the national budget to provincial councils, the government continues to control resource allocation centrally, thereby starving local governments of the funds they need for infrastructure development and essential services
Interference in Local Governance
Provincial and metropolitan councils have been weakened by the appointment of unelected provincial ministers who answer directly to the central government. These ministers overshadow elected officials and override local decisions, diluting the spirit of devolution.
Inconsistent Implementation
While devolution was enshrined in the Constitution in 2013, its full implementation has been delayed for years, with successive ZANU-PF administrations dragging their feet in empowering local authorities, leaving them dependent on Harare for approval of development projects.
This violation of the Constitution not only stifles development but also silences the voices of local communities that should have the power to make decisions about their future. The government's failure to implement devolution has perpetuated inequality, particularly in marginalised regions and weakened trust in public institutions.
For devolution to succeed, Zimbabwe must follow a transparent, inclusive and results-driven approach. Here’s how:
Strict Adherence to Constitutional Provisions: The government must implement the full extent of devolution as outlined in the Constitution, including allocating the constitutionally mandated 5% of the national budget to provincial councils. This funding must be managed by elected local officials, without undue interference from central government ministers.
Empowering Local Authorities: Provincial and metropolitan councils must be fully empowered with decision-making authority over their regions. The appointment of provincial ministers who undermine local autonomy must end. Elected officials should be the key drivers of regional policies, ensuring that they are representative of the needs and aspirations of the local population.
Building Local Capacity: Devolution requires robust local governance structures that are capable of delivering services efficiently. Therefore, the government must invest in capacity-building programs to train local authorities in effective administration, project management and fiscal responsibility.
Fair Distribution of Resources: A transparent system of revenue-sharing must be established to ensure all provinces, especially historically marginalised regions like Matabeleland and Manicaland, receive their fair share of national resources. Resource allocation should be based on population size, poverty levels and specific developmental needs.
Public Participation: Local communities must be involved in decision-making processes through participatory governance models. Public consultations, local town hall meetings and citizen feedback mechanisms are critical for ensuring that the developmental agenda reflects the priorities of the people.
Devolution, when properly implemented, will transform the lives of Zimbabwean citizens by bringing governance closer to the people. For citizens, devolution means:
Better Public Services: Local governments will be able to provide more efficient and tailored services, including healthcare, education and infrastructure development, based on the specific needs of their communities.
Increased Accountability: With local leaders directly accountable to their communities, there will be greater transparency and less room for corruption and abuse of power.
Economic Empowerment: Devolution will create new opportunities for local economic development by enabling regions to control their own resources and attract investment that benefits the local population.
Equitable Development: Marginalised regions will have a greater say in how national resources are distributed, allowing them to catch up with more developed areas in terms of infrastructure, healthcare and education.
Devolution is not just a constitutional obligation; it is a necessity for Zimbabwe's future. The ruling party's continued disregard for the constitutional guidelines on devolution has stifled development and disenfranchised millions of Zimbabweans. It is time to fully implement devolution, ensuring that all citizens can benefit from the country’s wealth and resources, and actively participate in the governance of their communities. UZA remains committed to advocating for the proper and immediate implementation in line with the Constitution. We believe that only through true decentralisation can Zimbabwe achieve equitable development and empower its citizens to build a prosperous nation.
