HARARE A new constitution must limit the powers of the minister of local government to run local authorities as a way of guaranteeing efficient delivery of services, according to Harare Residents Association chairman Simbarashe Moyo. Moyo told a meeting at the United States embassy last Tuesday that the right to basic services such as shelter, water and a clean environment must be enshrined in the proposed new governance charter.
But the residents association boss said such rights could be enforced only if local authorities were made accountable to residents and not to political appointees such as a minister. “The minister of local government has more power than elected officials. We need devolution of power to the elected officials,” Moyo said.
Moyo urged residents to take advantage of ongoing constitutional reforms to ensure that a new governance charter will restore citizens basic rights that he said could be totally ignored as political parties jostle to use the reforms as a way to bolster their grip on power.
Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo exercises near total control of Zimbabwes urban councils including those run by MDC mayors. Chombo has not hesitated to fire elected councils that are not aligned to his Zanu (PF) party and replacing them with commissions packed by his allies.
Post published in: Politics