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GNU should rid local authorities of corruption
Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ)
December 31, 2009

The Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ) is calling upon the Government of National Unity in Zimbabwe to urgently address the problem of rampant corruption affecting service delivery in local authorities throughout the country. We urge swift action against some way ward and self-serving local authorities that are fleecing residents of their hard-earned cash.

We call upon the State authorities to investigate Harare, Chitungwiza, Bindura and Kadoma among other local authorities to protect the public interest. We do not agree to a piecemeal approach to address the problems affecting the local government sphere. Recent media reports of corrupt practices involving the flouting of tender procedures, allocation of residential and commercial stands and demands by councilors and council employees of luxury incentives such as vehicles, cell phones and money to pay for lobola (as the case with Kadoma councilors) has negatively impacted on service delivery. The poor service delivery in most local authorities is epitomized by failure to patch potholes or repair damaged roads and failure to collect refuse which is posing a health risk to residents. We bring it to the attention of the GNU that the people are paying dearly for services that are not being provided.

As CCDZ we call upon the inclusive government to prioritize service delivery- that is, repairing/rehabilitating damaged roads and other public infrastructure. This is important to consolidate the gains that have so far been achieved since the inception of the inclusive government in February this year. We urge the Minister of Public Works, Madam Theresa Makone to work closely with local authorities to improve public infrastructure such as roads, public clinics and schools in both rural and urban areas.

The Centre for Community Development reiterates the call for local government reforms and the enshrining of local government in the new Constitution. CCDZ shall continue to lobby for the inclusion of local government in the new Constitution so that this important sphere of government gets the protection of the country's supreme law.

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