Online Reporter
Patience Ndlovu, [email protected]
FROM being one of Zimbabwe’s worst-performing rural councils to becoming a model of transformation, Mberengwa Rural District Council has staged a remarkable turnaround that is now drawing national attention.
Ranked 58th out of 60 rural local authorities in 2022, Mberengwa RDC was once synonymous with poor service delivery and ineffective governance.
However, by 2023, it had climbed to 27th position. Two years later, in 2025, it now sits proudly in sixth place nationally and first in the Midlands Province.
The dramatic rise has been credited to strong leadership from Ward 22 Councillor and RDC chairperson Garisikai Moyo, working alongside chief executive officer Mr Thompson Maeresera, who together have steered the council towards accountability, transparency and community-driven development.
Key to the success story has been the effective use of devolution funds, robust strategic planning and the adoption of a comprehensive Master Plan in October 2024, which set out a clear roadmap for sustainable development in line with the national Vision 2030 agenda.
Visible results are already being felt in communities with new clinics being built to improve access to healthcare, and road rehabilitation projects enhancing connectivity across wards.
Through Government support, the council has acquired essential service equipment, including fire tenders, boosting its capacity to respond to emergencies.
In an interview, Clr Moyo said unity of purpose was the foundation of the council’s transformation.
“Through concerted efforts, our qualified personnel, united councillors, staff and stakeholders, we have achieved significant milestones. Effective stakeholder engagement has restored community faith in the council, resulting in increased levy payments from wards, enabling us to channel funds back into ward projects in a timely manner,” he said.
“Additionally, our graders and rigs are not parked at council offices, but they are out there in the community, working.”
Clr Moyo also highlighted how the Government’s collaborative approach has been critical, with Members of Parliament and other stakeholders donating fuel to support projects while the council provides equipment and technical expertise.
