Zimbabwe govt threatens to take over council operations

The central government has issued a stern warning to local authorities across Zimbabwe, threatening to assume control of their operations if they fail to meet basic service delivery standards as outlined in a recent Cabinet directive.

Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Albert Tawanda Mavunga, delivered the warning earlier this week while addressing a youth forum, citing deteriorating services in key urban centres.

Mavunga said local authorities were now mandated to adhere to minimum service delivery standards and that failure to do so would result in central government intervention.

"For example, in Harare, the municipality is expected to deliver water 24 hours a day. If they don't have the ability and capacity, central government now steps in," said Mavunga.

"When they cannot maintain or rehabilitate roads, local government will now step in. When they cannot collect garbage or provide proper waste management, Geo Pomona steps in through local government, so that all our citizens receive the service delivery they deserve."

Urban councils, particularly Harare, have come under intense criticism from residents due to persistent failures in refuse collection, erratic water supply, and poor sanitation. These shortcomings have contributed to periodic outbreaks of diseases such as cholera.

Residents' associations have repeatedly petitioned Parliament, demanding that it enforces its oversight mandate and holds local authorities accountable for service delivery failures.

However, local authorities argue that central government interference and underfunding are the root causes of their inefficiencies. They claim the state often fails to pay for services rendered or hinders council-led initiatives.

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume, speaking during a full council meeting earlier this week, said the city was working with the central government to improve service delivery. "It is a collaborative process. We acknowledge the gaps and are working to address them," he said.

Meanwhile, the same council meeting heard that residents of Notleyvale and Mabelreign have petitioned the city over noise pollution and the alleged illegal operation of Sherwood Golf Club as an open-air nightclub.

According to the petition, residents questioned the legality of the lease agreement that allowed the transformation of the golf course into an entertainment venue, claiming the original lease file had mysteriously vanished from council records.

"Notleyvale Residents' Association established, some five years ago, that the file for the lease of Sherwood Golf Club has been suspiciously missing from the City Estates Department and that, therefore, no valid lease agreement exists and that council officials have failed and refused to provide the status of the lease," Mafume revealed.

In response, the mayor pledged municipal action to address the issue. "There must be some regulation. We received the petition and are going to deal with it accordingly. We'll speak to the proprietor to reduce the noise," he said.

"Should we fail, then the various licences they have will be withdrawn."

The government's threat to intervene directly in local governance is likely to spark fresh debate over the autonomy of municipalities and the role of central oversight in urban management, especially ahead of the 2025 local authority elections.