The establishment of Metropolitan Provinces in Zimbabwe, namely Harare and Bulawayo, was intended to enhance governance and administrative efficiency in the country’s largest urban centres. This concept was born out of a desire to improve service delivery, regional planning, and resource allocation for cities with high population densities and complex socio-economic needs. These provinces are urban centres that serve as economic, political and social hubs, hosting critical infrastructures such as government offices, industries and financial institutions. As such, the argument for their existence is rooted in the need to address the specific challenges faced by urban populations, which rural-oriented provincial governance structures may struggle to adequately manage.
Metropolitan Provinces are meant to have a special governance framework to handle the unique challenges of rapid urbanisation, infrastructure development, traffic management, housing and the provision of basic services such as water and sanitation. Harare, as the capital, and Bulawayo, the second-largest city, play strategic roles in driving national economic activity and having Metropolitan Provinces ensures that there is a tailored focus on these areas to make them more globally competitive.
Despite the intentions behind Metropolitan Provinces, there are strong arguments against their continued existence. Detractors argue that the concept of Metropolitan Provinces has failed to deliver on its promise of better governance and service delivery. Instead, Harare and Bulawayo are marred by crumbling infrastructure, poor service provision and a growing divide between government policies and the needs of urban populations. The distinction of these areas as Metropolitan Provinces has not led to significant improvements in key areas such as housing, transportation and the provision of clean water. Rather, urban decay is rampant, with both cities suffering from severe mismanagement.
One of the central criticisms of Metropolitan Provinces is that they have become breeding grounds for corruption and political manipulation, especially in Harare. The level of political interference by the central government has undermined the autonomy of these provinces, leading to conflicts between elected local officials and appointed provincial governors who often prioritise partisan agendas over the needs of citizens. This has led to poor decision-making, a lack of accountability, and a disconnect between provincial leaders and the urban population they are meant to serve. The creation of Metropolitan Provinces has resulted in a dual system of governance that is redundant and inefficient. Local authorities, such as city councils, already exist to manage urban areas, and the introduction of metropolitan governance structures has only complicated administrative processes. Instead of streamlining governance, it has created overlaps in responsibility, with both provincial and local authorities competing for control over resources and decision-making. This has led to delays in service delivery and confusion over who is accountable for urban management issues such as waste disposal, water shortages, and road maintenance.
The introduction of Metropolitan Provinces has not solved the long-standing issues of uneven development in Zimbabwe. While the focus has been on Harare and Bulawayo, rural areas have continued to suffer from underdevelopment, leading to rural-urban migration that further exacerbates the strain on urban infrastructure. Instead of focusing on creating specialised governance structures for urban centres, the government should prioritise equitable development that benefits all provinces equally.
While the idea of Metropolitan Provinces in Zimbabwe was designed to address the unique needs of urban populations in Harare and Bulawayo, the reality is that these structures have largely failed to deliver meaningful improvements in governance and service delivery. The current model has led to inefficiency, political interference and corruption, undermining the very objectives of decentralisation and urban management. Rather than maintaining the status quo, Zimbabwe should consider reforming or even abolishing the concept of Metropolitan Provinces. A more effective solution may lie in strengthening local government structures, empowering city councils and ensuring that urban management is streamlined under a unified governance framework that eliminates redundant layers of bureaucracy. The government must adopt a more holistic approach to development that includes both urban and rural areas, ensuring that resources are allocated equitably and that all Zimbabweans benefit from national progress.
In the context of ongoing economic challenges, it is clear that Zimbabwe needs governance reforms that enhance efficiency, accountability and service delivery across all regions, not just its metropolitan areas. The future of the country’s urban centres lies not in the continued existence of Metropolitan Provinces but in creating a governance system that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of all citizens.
