Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Sunday News Reporter
LOCAL authorities in Matabeleland South local are targeting to increase water supply coverage to 74 percent by the end of the year as the province accelerates implementation of the Government’s Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS) aimed at improving access to basic public services.
The province is also targeting 90 percent sanitation coverage, 97 percent solid waste management coverage and 77 percent coverage in roads and public lighting by year-end, in line with national targets aimed at improving the quality of life and support the country’s drive towards attaining an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
Government introduced the Minimum Service Delivery Standards to ensure local authorities deliver quality services and provide value for money to ratepayers. The legally enforceable standards, which are monitored by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, set measurable targets for key sectors, including water supply, sanitation, waste management, roads, housing, public health and corporate governance.
Presenting a report by the Regional Development, Inclusivity through Devolution and Decentralisation Thematic Committee during a recent Matabeleland South Provincial Development Committee meeting, the province’s deputy director of Local Government, Mr Simon Muleya, said a provincial implementation plan had been developed to guide local authorities towards achieving the prescribed targets.
“We are looking forward to seeing an upscaling in the establishment of piped water schemes on high-yielding boreholes and the incorporation of sand abstraction technologies,” said Mr Muleya.
He said to improve solid waste management, they are targeting the construction of household and institutional toilets and the enforcement of sanitation by-laws.
Mr Muleya said local authorities would also intensify routine road grading, pothole patching, street lighting maintenance and the rehabilitation of drainage systems to improve transport infrastructure and public safety.
“Under roads and public lighting, we have set a target of 77 percent by year-end. Local authorities have to upscale routine road grading and pothole patching. More has to be done in the maintenance of street lighting and rehabilitation of drainage systems,” he said.
Mr Muleya said efforts would also focus on strengthening public health infrastructure through the construction and equipping of health facilities, while expanding access to clean water and sanitation services at health institutions.
The province has also set a 71 percent target under housing and social amenities, with local authorities expected to accelerate the servicing of residential stands, develop recreational facilities and regularise informal settlements.
Mr Muleya said improving transparency and accountability are a key pillar of the programme.
“We expect improved transparency and accountability in service delivery through citizen engagement platforms, public consultation meetings and the publication of budget and expenditure reports,” he said.
Under the standards, urban local authorities are required to achieve 90 percent water supply coverage by the end of next year and 100 percent by 2030, while rural local authorities are expected to attain 70 percent coverage by next year and universal access by 2030.
The standards require every household to have either a direct water connection or access to a safe water source within 100 metres in urban areas and 500 metres or a 30-minute round trip, in rural communities.
Recognised improved water sources include piped water systems, boreholes, protected wells and springs, rainwater harvesting systems, sand abstraction technologies, artesian wells and packaged or delivered water. In urban centres, local authorities are expected to provide piped water schemes or treated borehole or spring water.
The Minimum Service Delivery Standards Indicators for Local Authorities (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (No. 1) also require councils to prioritise service delivery over administration by maintaining a recommended expenditure ratio of 70:30 in favour of service delivery.
Compliance will be monitored by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, with councils that fail to meet the standards liable to corrective and disciplinary measures under existing laws.
The Government says the framework is intended to improve efficiency, strengthen accountability, enhance transparency and ensure residents receive reliable essential services while supporting the Vision 2030 development agenda.
derick.khumalo