Zimbabwe govt bans foreign trips

Government has with immediate effect suspended all foreign trips and workshops for the country's 92 local authorities in a move aimed at curbing wasteful expenditure and improving service delivery.

The directive, issued by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe on October 6, 2025, forms part of a broader effort to enforce the Minimum Service Delivery Standards adopted by Cabinet in July this year.

The framework, which stems from the Call to Action Blueprint introduced in 2023, compels local authorities to meet defined performance benchmarks that specify the minimum acceptable levels of service delivery in terms of quality, quantity, timeframes, and cost.

Garwe said the suspension of foreign travel and workshops was necessary to stop the "unnecessary drain of resources" on already struggling councils, many of which are failing to deliver basic services while continuing to fund lavish trips and conferences.

"All workshops are to be suspended forthwith, save for those pertaining to the review or formulation of Strategic Plans, and Budget Review processes," reads part of the directive.

"For the avoidance of doubt, such workshops shall be solely within the respective Local Authority's jurisdiction."

Garwe also ordered an immediate suspension of all foreign travel, except where trips are fully funded by the host or inviting institution. In such cases, councils must submit a comprehensive post-mission report to the Ministry within seven days of return.

The Minister further directed the strict regulation of council pool vehicles, noting widespread abuse by council officials who often use government vehicles for personal errands.

"Non-essential or unauthorized use is strictly prohibited," Garwe emphasized.

The government's decision follows widespread criticism of some councils for spending thousands of dollars on non-essential foreign trips while residents face chronic service delivery failures such as uncollected refuse, burst sewers, and poor road maintenance.

Reports indicate that senior council officials have been attending week-long international workshops, with each participant reportedly spending up to US$10,000 per trip.

The directive comes as many cash-strapped councils continue to struggle to fund critical projects such as master plans and infrastructure development, forcing the government to permit them to use part of their Devolution Funds for essential planning work.

Last year, the Chief Director of Spatial Planning and Development in the Ministry, Shingirirai Mushamba, warned that several local authorities were failing to pay lead planners due to financial constraints, further stalling development projects.

The latest suspension is expected to redirect limited resources toward improving essential services and restoring accountability in local governance.