Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
Municipal Correspondent
Local authorities across the country have been ordered to remain fully operational and continue providing essential services today despite proposed shutdowns, demonstrations and marches.
Those who fail to report for duty will face the full force of the law.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said all urban and rural local authorities were expected to discharge their constitutional and statutory mandates without interruption today.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works wishes to reassure the nation that all local authorities across the country are expected to continue discharging their constitutional and statutory mandates without interruption on Friday, 31 July 2026, and beyond,” he said.
Local authorities are responsible for a range of essential services, including water supply, refuse collection, public health, housing administration, road maintenance and sanitation.
Minister Garwe said the uninterrupted provision of these services was critical to the socio-economic well-being of communities.
“Accordingly, all mayors, chairpersons, councillors, town clerks, town secretaries, chief executive officers, management and employees of local authorities are directed to ensure that it is business as usual in every urban and rural local authority throughout the country on 31 July 2026,” he said.
Minister Garwe said local authorities should not participate in or facilitate activities that could disrupt normal socio-economic activities or the provision of public services.
“The Ministry unequivocally states that local authorities, being an integral part of Government, must not participate in, facilitate or support any proposed shutdowns, demonstrations or marches intended to disrupt normal socio-economic activities or the delivery of public services,” he said.
“All local authority officials and employees are expected to remain at their duty stations and continue serving the public in accordance with their legal and professional obligations.”
The Minister said members of the public should continue accessing council services as usual, as offices and departments would remain open.
“The public is assured that all local authority offices and departments will remain open and fully operational. Residents are therefore encouraged to continue accessing all public services as normal,” he said.
Minister Garwe also directed local authorities to work closely with law enforcement agencies and other Government institutions to maintain peace and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential services.
“The Ministry further calls upon all local authorities to work closely with law enforcement agencies and other Government institutions to maintain peace, uphold law and order, and ensure the uninterrupted provision of essential public services,” he said.
The directive comes as Government and various stakeholders continue to assure the nation that essential services and economic activities will proceed normally on 31 July.
Minister Garwe said the Government remained committed to ensuring that residents continued to receive critical municipal services without disruption.
