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Ivan Zhakata Herald Correspondent
THE Government is rolling out the first phase of the induction training for councillors, which is expected to be concluded within 14 days.
Director of Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Mr Gabriel Masvora, said in the meantime, councils can swear in councillors.
“Swearing in can start with immediate effect and it is done by town clerks, secretaries or chief executive officers,” said Mr Masvora.
“The induction is decentralised as in each local authority will do the exercise at their place. For example, Harare town clerk can now swear in its councillors at their chambers or any other venue for the matter.
“As for induction, it is also decentralised but will be led by our directors of Local Government Services. Each director, 10 of them, will do his or her province and come up with a work plan for the councillors in that province in the next 14 days.”
Zimbabwe has 1 960 elected councillors, but then, there are some special councillors, taking the number of councillors to over 2 000 councillors.
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works had earlier on directed local authorities to postpone indefinitely, the swearing in of the recently elected councillors.
In a letter dated September 3, addressed to all town clerks, CEOs, and town secretaries, Permanent Secretary for the Local Government Ministry, Zvinechimwe Churu, said local authorities would be notified of the rescheduled dates for swearing in.
According to the Constitution, councillors are required to be sworn in within nine days of the announcement of general election results.
“As you are aware, the results of the general elections were announced on 26 August 2023, which included councillors for your respective local authorities.
“By operation of the law, councillors, in terms of Section 277 of the Constitution, assume office on the ninth day after the announcement of the results of the general elections.
“It is against this background that the Ministry directs that it will advise each individual local authority of the dates for swearing of councillors,” reads part of the letter.
The Urban Councils Act and the Rural District Councils Act further provide that before undertaking any duty, councillors shall take and subscribe before the town clerk or chief executive officer, such oath of loyalty and office as may be prescribed.
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