Online Reporter
Richard Muponde
Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE fight against corruption in local authorities has been intensified with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works teaming up with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to establish a Special Taskforce that will probe graft and maladministration in councils.
The move comes at a critical time when corruption and inefficiencies in both urban and rural councils have been blamed for poor service delivery, dilapidated infrastructure, uncollected refuse, and misused funds meant for communities.
Announcing the development through a joint statement on Thursday, the two institutions said the task force will close gaps that have allowed cases to drag on unresolved, undermining public confidence in governance structures.
“Currently, there are several corruption-related cases under investigation in the majority of councils across the country, many of which have dragged on unresolved due to their complexity.
“This joint task force will ensure that no case is left hanging indefinitely. We are determined to bring finality to cases, recover stolen resources and restore confidence in local governance,” read part of the statement.
Analysts say the initiative is critical in restoring accountability, ensuring that public resources are channelled towards their intended purpose and positioning local authorities to fulfil their mandate of driving development at grassroots level.
The Ministry, empowered under the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15] and Rural District Councils Act [Chapter 29:13], oversees the country’s 92 local authorities. Traditionally, it focused on administrative oversight, while ZACC and the Zimbabwe Republic Police handled criminal investigations. The new joint framework is expected to enhance coordination and fast-track outcomes.
“The involvement of the Ministry in these investigations is not meant to undermine the constitutional role of ZACC and other law enforcement agencies. Instead, it seeks to ensure a swift, coordinated, and comprehensive response to allegations against councils and their officials.
“We want to create a governance culture where corruption has no hiding place, where every allegation is promptly attended to and where councils return to their core mandate of serving communities,” the statement said.
The Ministry’s Integrity Committee, created under ZACC guidelines, will also be integrated into the taskforce to strengthen ethical conduct and roll out preventative mechanisms against corruption.
Observers note that rampant graft in councils has stifled development for years, with resources meant for water provision, roads rehabilitation, housing projects and refuse collection being diverted.
By rooting out corruption, Government expects improved efficiency in service delivery, renewed investor confidence, and better living standards for communities.
Officials said the new approach is designed to reinforce transparency, accelerate accountability, and safeguard resources that directly affect ordinary citizens’ day-to-day lives.
-@muponderichard
