There is a clear anti - Harare sentiment out there - Biti

Mr Tendai Biti has reiterated what most of us already know. Many people in Zimbabwe are asking if Harare is Zimbabwe because everything is done in Harare. People of Matabeleland have always been marginalised by the Hararians for a long time and no-one from the higher offices has ever tried to address the issue.

In his budget speech he said, "The sense of alienation and despondency remains high. There is a clear anti-Harare sentiment out there.

The feeling is that everything happens in Harare and that to be a true and participating citizen of Zimbabwe one must be domiciled in Harare "everything is in Harare and Harare is everything."

Biti said concerns raised by stakeholders during Budget consultations necessitate the decentralisation of the provision of a range of both public and private services away from the capital, Harare.

Examples cited include acquiring of national identity documents, processing of tender documents and approval of loan applications, among others.

Hence, Government need to develop strategies to decentralise service provision to the provinces and districts.

Biti said with regards to financial services, he will be working with the financial sector to have meaningful decentralisation of financial services beyond Harare.

"I am, however, happy to note that the Public Service Commission has embarked on initiatives to decentralise some of its operations," added Biti.