Peter Tanyanyiwa
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Herald Correspondent
RUWA Local Board councillors and senior management today signed their 2026 performance contracts at the newly-constructed Ruwa Town House.
The ceremony, led by Ruwa Mayor Councillor Michael Mataruka and Town Secretary/CEO Mr K.M. Madanhi, was attended by Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume and mayors from Gweru, Mutare, Epworth and Norton, stressing the growing spirit of inter-municipal cooperation in Zimbabwe.
Mayor Mataruka set the tone for the event, declaring, “Today all our councillors and senior managers signed performance contracts that will guide how we serve our residents in 2026. These contracts are not just documents, they are promises—promises to deliver, promises to evolve, and promises to place the people at the center of everything we do.”
Mayor Michael Mataruka: Action, Accountability, and Community
Mayor Mataruka emphasized the shift from planning to action, aligning the council’s work with the government’s Minimum Service Delivery Standards Framework.
“As you all know, every year we sign performance contracts with our minister, the Minister of Local Government. This tradition reminds us that leadership comes with responsibility. In 2026 we must move from planning to action. This is the year to deliver tangible services to our residents.”
He also highlighted Ruwa’s focus on cleanliness, public safety, and intercity collaboration:
“Refuse collection remains one of our strongest services as a council.
Cleanliness is dignity. Cleanliness is health. I am proud to say that we are expecting another refuse compactor this year, which will strengthen our operations and ensure our town remains clean and well-managed.”
“I would like to sincerely thank our brother, the Mayor of Harare, Mayor Jacob Mafume, for assisting us in training our firefighters. Collaboration between local authorities is key to national development. This year, we are taking a bold step forward as we move towards constructing our own fire station.”
Town Secretary/CEO K.M. Madanhi: No Compromise on Standards
Town Secretary/CEO Mr. K.M. Madanhi reinforced the council’s commitment to constitutional mandates and minimum service standards:
“Our mandate is providing services in accordance with the Constitution. We have to deliver on time. Residents have got the right to complain and we have to capture those complaints and respond in time.”
“We have put minimum service delivery standards in place, which I have to execute diligently without any compromise. There’s no space for compromise. If anyone doesn’t want to execute that assignment and meet the minimum service delivery standards, they have a choice to resign.”
Ms. Josephine Mwaitirwa: Devolution Funds Drive Development
Ruwa Local Board Public Relations and Communications Officer Ms. Josephine Mwaitirwa thanked the government for its support:
“We are grateful to the Government for the devolution funds we have received, which have enabled us to undertake crucial infrastructure projects. We have ambitious plans for the upcoming disbursements and we hope they will be released in time to ensure continuity of our development agenda.”
Clr Mafume praised Ruwa’s financial discipline and hinted at technological upgrades:
“I want to commend Ruwa Local Board—of all the local authorities that Harare provides water to, Ruwa actually pays for their water promptly. This is exemplary. The prepaid smart water meters that we are rolling out in Harare will soon be extended to local authorities around Harare, including Ruwa, to improve billing efficiency and water management.”
The signing of performance contracts at Ruwa’s new Town House is a powerful symbol of the local board’s commitment to modern governance, improved service delivery, and transparent leadership. With support from devolution funds, new technology, and intercity partnerships, Ruwa is positioning itself as a model for accountable and responsive local government in Zimbabwe.
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