Bulawayo residents oppose council privatisation plan

Bulawayo residents and civic leaders have expressed concern over a government directive requiring local authorities to privatise selected service delivery functions, warning that the move could result in higher tariffs, reduced accountability and diminished public control over essential services.

The Government has instructed Zimbabwe's 92 local authorities to either privatise certain functions or enter into public-private partnerships (PPPs) as part of efforts to address chronic service delivery failures.

The policy, spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, targets areas such as refuse collection, road maintenance, water production, waste management and the administration of public markets.

However, critics argue that councils and residents are not adequately prepared for such a transition.

Ambrose Sibindi, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Western Region, said privatisation could place essential services beyond the reach of many struggling residents.

"Privatisation is only good for strong economies. We are not yet ready for that. Private entities need money and once services are privatised they will be out of reach of many people that have turned to vending due to economic hardships," Sibindi told Southern Eye.

He pointed to previous attempts by the Bulawayo City Council to privatise council halls, which were later reversed following public opposition.

"There are already infrastructures that have been built by the residents. If they are privatised for a certain reason, how are the residents going to benefit from that?" he asked.

Sibindi also raised concerns about accountability, arguing that elected councillors currently play an oversight role on behalf of residents and that privatisation could weaken that relationship.

Meanwhile, Effie Ncube, advocacy adviser for the National Consumer Rights Association, said experiences from around the world showed that privatisation could produce both positive and negative outcomes depending on how it is implemented.

"For it to work well, it requires effective private players and rigorous oversight from the government. Private players do not hold the magic wand to service delivery," said Ncube.

"The tender process from which such private players would be chosen is crucial. It should produce the best in the market."

He noted that when properly structured and monitored, private sector participation could improve efficiency, revenue collection and service quality.

"Structured well and supervised with discipline, private players can indeed lead to better service delivery and improved revenue flows as they bring competition, operational efficiency and specialised expertise," he said.

Ncube stressed that any reforms should prioritise value for money and quality services for residents.

Residents have also warned that transparency in the awarding of contracts will be critical, expressing fears that corruption could undermine the intended benefits of the programme.

Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart said it was too early for the city to take a position on the policy.

"We are still studying the strategy, so it is premature to comment," he said.

The privatisation push forms part of broader reforms introduced by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, which has also implemented statutory performance benchmarks for local authorities.

Councils that fail to meet the prescribed standards face penalties ranging from written warnings to the dismissal of officials or the downgrading of council status.

Supporters of the reforms argue that involving the private sector could help address longstanding service delivery challenges, while opponents caution that without strong safeguards, residents could face higher costs and reduced influence over essential public services.

The debate is expected to intensify as councils evaluate the government's strategy and consider which functions may be transferred to private operators or public-private partnerships.