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Harmonise local government laws
The Herald (Zimbabwe)
August 22, 2006

http://www1.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=7674&cat=1&livedate=8/22/2006

NEWLY-FOUNDED Zimbabwe Local Government Association (Zilga) will soon lobby the Government to come up with a comprehensive legislative system for local authorities.

Zilga president Mr Jerry Gotora yesterday told reporters at a Press conference in Harare that there was need to harmonise laws that dealt with local authorities and come up with a single local government legislation.

Currently, there are about three local Government systems with the parallel election of executive mayors, councillors and council chair- persons.

Other laws that also affect councils are the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act, the Traditional Leaders Act and the Licensing Act.

"There is disharmony when it comes to applying these laws together with the Urban Councils Act or the Rural District Council Act culminating in disorder and confusion at times.

"There is an urgent need to come up with a single local government legislation. The enactment of a single local government law will culminate in a single local government system," Mr Gotora said.

Mr Gotora said his organisation would also lobby the Government to provide for local authorities in the constitution saying currently, local governments existed "at the mercy of Parliament".

"By a single Act of Parliament, local government can be abolished. But when it is enshrined in the constitution, a referendum is needed, which takes us back to the voters, who are the custodians of local governments, to decide whether to abolish local government or not.

"A local government system by way of a constitution is more legitimate and more stable than one by an Act of Parliament," Mr Gotora said.

Mr Gotora also said Zilga would continue lobbying the central Government to provide funding to local authorities.

"The more funding they get, the better the services they can provide."

The Zilga president appealed to the media to report constructively on local authorities, especially during these times when local authorities were going under very difficult times.

Mr Gotora said while there were ills bedevilling the local authorities, a lot of good things were also happening in local authorities.

Mr Gotora said the formation of Zilga, after the amalgamation of the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe and the Association of Rural District Councils of Zimbabwe was a milestone as it was in line with regional and international trends.

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