Government appoints caretakers to run the country's local authorities

GOVERNMENT has appointed caretakers and commissions to run the country's 91 local authorities with effect from tomorrow because of the automatic dissolution of all councils at midnight today.

In the case of Harare and Bulawayo metropolitan provinces, town clerks and the respective provincial administrators have been appointed the caretakers, while in other urban councils respective district administrators and town clerks or local board secretaries would be in charge.

For rural district councils, district administrators and chief executive officers would be the commissioners.
Secretary for Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Mr Killian Mpingo has since made the announcement through a circular to provincial administrators.

A copy of the letter from Mr Mpingo reads: "Please, note that in terms of section 58(1) of the existing Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe; all councils shall be dissolved by the affliction of time, on 29 June, 2013.

"Pending election of new councillors, it is imperative that necessary administrative arrangements be put in place for the purpose of ensuring that operations of councils do not grind to a halt."

Mr Mpingo said the appointments would take effect tomorrow until the swearing in of new councillors.

The caretakers and commissions would not be allowed to impose new levies, rates or taxes, nor increase any charge fixed by council nor recruit new staff or effect staff promotions.