Online Reporter
Bulawayo Bureau
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is expected to meet councillors and senior executives from the country’s 92 local authorities in Bulawayo today during the launch of the Minimum Service Delivery Standards Framework aimed at driving improved outcomes for transformed livelihoods in line with Vision 2030 targets.
He will also launch the Urban State Land Management Policy to guide land handling issues by councils.
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Local Government Association (ZILGA) is hosting the high-level gathering at the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (ZICES) amid high hopes for transformed service delivery across the country.
Up to 3 000 delegates, including councillors from across the country, ministers, senior Government officials and heads of parastatals, will attend the event, the ministry’s director of corporate communications and advocacy Mr Gabriel Masvora said last night.
“The President will also launch the two policies as key highlights of the event,” he added.
Today’s interface is the second after President Mnangagwa first met local authorities in Harare in November 2023, leading to the launch of the blueprint: “A Call to Action. No Compromise on Service Delivery”, the first stage of interventions by the Second Republic to modernise the operations of local authorities towards Vision 2030.
Since then, local authorities have developed roadmaps towards the attainment of the national vision while, on its part, the Government has developed minimum service delivery standards to guide local authorities in the implementation of these.
Cabinet approved the minimum service standards for local authorities last month and these will serve as key guidelines towards improving service delivery in line with the national development aspirations.
According to Government, the objectives for developing minimum service delivery standards include defining the minimum levels of services that local authorities should provide and the nature of service recipients’ expectations in terms of quantity, quality, time and cost.
These will also determine the minimum cost for the provision of services, provide uniformity and consistency in the provision of services at local level and provide a basis upon which feedback on the level of satisfaction against the standards will be evaluated.
The Minimum Service Delivery Standards Framework places focus on water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, roads and public lighting, corporate governance, public health, environmental issues and housing and community services.
The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, recently highlighted that each area has performance indicators, benchmarks and performance standards.
“The data will be submitted online, with a real-time dashboard system being implemented to track, monitor and evaluate progress.
“The performance of local authorities, both urban and rural, will be based on assessments set in the minimum service delivery standards framework,” said Dr Muswere following a recent Cabinet resolution.
Speaking ahead of today’s gathering, Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) secretary-general, Mr Livison Mutekede, said they were ready to meet President Mnangagwa and engage over a number of key issues meant to enhance service delivery.
“The crux of the interface is of course the launch of the Service Delivery Standards Framework, which was crafted through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, as well as UCAZ.
“This will guide us as local authorities in terms of implementing our mandate. Councillors would also want to hear what the Head of State and Government has to say with regard to their welfare,” said Mr Mutekede.
During a heritage training workshop for Matabeleland North councillors held in Bulawayo early this year, Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe, said councillors’ allowances had been reviewed to acceptable levels.
He also touched on the issue of housing stands, as well as a duty-free car import scheme, which were being looked into to improve conditions of service for councillors.
Today’s interface comes at a time when all local authorities have signed and will continue to sign performance contracts with central Government, which is meant to usher in a new dispensation in terms of performance and service delivery.
