Councils ordered to suspend workshops, foreign travel

Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe has directed all local authorities across Zimbabwe to immediately suspend workshops, seminars, conferences, foreign travel and related activities, citing concerns that such engagements are undermining service delivery.

In a circular issued to all councils, Minister Garwe said government had observed a growing trend of local authorities prioritising workshops, symposiums, look-and-learn visits and foreign trips despite persistent challenges in basic service delivery such as water supply, waste management and infrastructure maintenance.

"Accordingly, and with immediate effect, the ministry hereby places an embargo on all workshops, seminars, symposiums, conferences, foreign travel and look-and-learn visits involving any type of financial cost to local authorities until further notice," the minister said.

The directive bars councils from participating in or hosting any such activities without prior approval from the ministry, effectively centralising oversight of all external engagements involving local authorities.

"No local authority shall participate in or host any such activity without the approval of the ministry," the circular read.

The ban also extends to programmes organised by government ministries, departments and agencies, non-governmental organisations, development partners, associations and private sector bodies, requiring all invitations and requests to be channelled through the ministry for approval.

Garwe said future approval for such activities would only be granted where there is a clear and direct link to improving minimum service delivery standards at local level.

"Going forward, consideration for approval of such activities shall strictly be based on their direct contribution toward the attainment of the minimum service delivery standards and improvement of service delivery in local authorities," he said.

Priority will be given only to programmes with measurable impact on core municipal functions, the ministry added.

Local authorities have also been instructed to immediately submit detailed schedules of all previously approved workshops, conferences, seminars, foreign travel and related programmes through designated ministry desk officers.

The ministry warned that non-compliance with the directive will attract administrative action against offending councils or officials.

"The ministry wishes to advise that non-compliance with this directive will not be tolerated," Garwe said, adding that "appropriate administrative action shall be taken against any local authority or official found acting in contravention of this circular."

The move is expected to significantly reduce council expenditure on non-essential engagements, while increasing scrutiny over how municipalities prioritise spending amid ongoing service delivery challenges in urban centres.