Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
GOVERNMENT has acceded to a request by local authorities to allow mayors and council chairpersons to drive vehicles allocated to them during the discharge of their duties.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe acceded to the request in a letter dated April 17, 2025.
The move seeks to reduce costs related to having a specific driver assigned to the officials.
In most instances, the car had to be parked at council offices, with the driver having to collect it and drive to the chairperson’s or mayor’s house and back, which was costly.
“Authority has hereby been granted to the mayor or chairperson, provided they have a valid driver’s license of over two years and have a valid defensive driving certificate,” read the letter.
“The vehicles will be maintained as per council’s transport policy. It would also be imperative that liability rests with the driver hence the mayor or council chairperson would be allowed to drive the vehicle in line with the council’s transport policy,” read the letter.
The letter also stipulates that in case of an accident, the mayor or the chairperson would be subjected to a board of inquiry and suspended from driving.
The board will be constituted by the District Development Coordinator, according to the letter.
