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29 local authorities miss budget submission deadline
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Twenty-nine local authorities, including the Harare City Council, have failed to meet the November 15 deadline to submit their 2025 annual budgets to the Government. This delay could hinder budget approvals and jeopardize critical service delivery initiatives.
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is set to begin reviewing the submitted budgets on December 4 to ensure they align with service delivery standards outlined in President Mnangagwa's national blueprint for local authorities, titled "Call to Action - No Compromise to Service Delivery."
The blueprint, unveiled last year, emphasizes the modernization of rural and urban areas by requiring budgets to prioritize efficient and effective service delivery.
Late Submissions Raise Concerns
Harare City Council, one of the defaulting authorities, was among the last to submit its budget last year. The delay resulted in the approval of its financial plan only in July 2024, significantly affecting its ability to execute vital projects.
Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume explained that the city's budget is still under internal review.
"We haven't submitted the budget yet," said Mafume. "Before submission, it has to be displayed for public review, after which we will incorporate responses from the public."
Authorities Meeting Deadlines
Meanwhile, 63 local authorities managed to submit their budgets on time. Among these are the Bulawayo City Council, Chitungwiza Municipality, and Ruwa Local Board.
Chitungwiza Municipality spokesperson Mr. Tafadzwa Kachiko confirmed their timely submission.
"We have submitted our budget and it is now under review," he said.
Ruwa Local Board spokesperson Ms. Josephine Mupakati echoed similar sentiments.
"We submitted our 2025 budget early this year," she said.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe outlined the next steps for budget assessments and approvals.
"So far, 63 local authorities met the deadline of November 15, 2024," said Minister Garwe. "The assessment of the budgets will start on December 4, 2024, and approvals will begin on December 19."
The ministry has stressed that budgets will only be approved if they meet the service delivery benchmarks laid out in the "Call to Action" blueprint.
The delayed submissions threaten to disrupt progress toward Zimbabwe's Vision 2030, which aims to achieve upper-middle-income status. Effective local government budgeting is a cornerstone of this initiative, ensuring that communities receive essential services such as water, waste management, and infrastructure maintenance.
President Mnangagwa has reiterated the importance of compliance with the blueprint, emphasizing that budget approvals will depend on clear, actionable plans for service delivery.
The onus now falls on defaulting local authorities to expedite their budget processes to avoid further delays and ensure that service delivery objectives remain on track.
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is set to begin reviewing the submitted budgets on December 4 to ensure they align with service delivery standards outlined in President Mnangagwa's national blueprint for local authorities, titled "Call to Action - No Compromise to Service Delivery."
The blueprint, unveiled last year, emphasizes the modernization of rural and urban areas by requiring budgets to prioritize efficient and effective service delivery.
Late Submissions Raise Concerns
Harare City Council, one of the defaulting authorities, was among the last to submit its budget last year. The delay resulted in the approval of its financial plan only in July 2024, significantly affecting its ability to execute vital projects.
Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume explained that the city's budget is still under internal review.
"We haven't submitted the budget yet," said Mafume. "Before submission, it has to be displayed for public review, after which we will incorporate responses from the public."
Authorities Meeting Deadlines
Meanwhile, 63 local authorities managed to submit their budgets on time. Among these are the Bulawayo City Council, Chitungwiza Municipality, and Ruwa Local Board.
Chitungwiza Municipality spokesperson Mr. Tafadzwa Kachiko confirmed their timely submission.
"We have submitted our budget and it is now under review," he said.
Ruwa Local Board spokesperson Ms. Josephine Mupakati echoed similar sentiments.
"We submitted our 2025 budget early this year," she said.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe outlined the next steps for budget assessments and approvals.
"So far, 63 local authorities met the deadline of November 15, 2024," said Minister Garwe. "The assessment of the budgets will start on December 4, 2024, and approvals will begin on December 19."
The ministry has stressed that budgets will only be approved if they meet the service delivery benchmarks laid out in the "Call to Action" blueprint.
The delayed submissions threaten to disrupt progress toward Zimbabwe's Vision 2030, which aims to achieve upper-middle-income status. Effective local government budgeting is a cornerstone of this initiative, ensuring that communities receive essential services such as water, waste management, and infrastructure maintenance.
President Mnangagwa has reiterated the importance of compliance with the blueprint, emphasizing that budget approvals will depend on clear, actionable plans for service delivery.
The onus now falls on defaulting local authorities to expedite their budget processes to avoid further delays and ensure that service delivery objectives remain on track.
Source - The Sunday Mail
