Legal and Institutional Framework: The “Achilles Heel” Of Local Authorities and Raison D’etre of Ministerial Intervention in Zimbabwe

Madhekeni, Alois; Zhou, Gideon

doi:10.5296/jpag.v2i3.2017

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 2 publications

(1 reference statement)

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“…According to Madhekeni and Zhou [10], dualistic colonial structures, modelled along racial lines, were the bedrock of a highly centralised government system anchored on white supremacist policies and the imposition of centrally defined substandard programmes on Native Councils and nourishment of African self-government.They further argued that the colonial system of Southern Rhodesia demonstrated central government supremacy on sub national governments through ingrained draconian and tribal, legal and institutional frameworks. Masunungure [11] concurred with the above argument adding that 'from its inception, the overriding imperative was the consolidation of the colonialist hegemony and its attendant infrastructures of control. '…”

Section: History and Context Of Igr In Zimbabwementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Madhekeni and Zhou [10] stress that inspite of independence from the colonial regime; Zimbabwe's new legal and institutional framework did not depose the centre's excessive control on sub national governments. Central government perfected its dominance by fostering control through crafting legal and institutional frameworks to retain unlimited powers and discretion whilst the institutional framework anchoring the necessary levers to execute the powerful legal provisions were developed.…”

Section: History and Context Of Igr In Zimbabwementioning

confidence: 99%

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A Critical Analysis of the Dynamics of Intergovernmental Relations in Zimbabwe

Chakunda¹

2018

J Pol Sci Pub Aff

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The study of inter-government relations in Zimbabwe presents a dynamic discourse with a complex political and constitutional history. This discourse occurs in the context of different political systems with diverse ideological orientations. In Zimbabwe, IGR has undergone different phases of transformation affecting the role and functions of different tiers of government. From colonial to post-independence era, the different governments have vacillated from centralism to decentralism, overregulation and protectionism. In the process, this has affected the intergovernmental balance of power in varying degrees. This paper critically examines the dynamics of the IGR discourse in Zimbabwe dwelling on its historical legacies, constitutional foundations, ideological orientation and institutional frameworks. The endeavor is to establish the nature and scope of the relationship between different tiers of government as shaped by the governing legislation and enforced through the established institutions. The paper established that the unitary system of Zimbabwe is anchored on a strong centralist ideology that suffocates the autonomy of sub-national institutions. In the same context, there is absence of political to implement crucial constitutional reforms that have a bearing on the configuration of IGR. The paper also revealed that political party incongruence is a threat to intergovernmental coordination, integrated planning and collaborative development.

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Section: History and Context Of Igr In Zimbabwementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: History and Context Of Igr In Zimbabwementioning

confidence: 99%

A Critical Analysis of the Dynamics of Intergovernmental Relations in Zimbabwe

Chakunda¹

2018

J Pol Sci Pub Aff

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“…The objective of this supervision by the national government is, among other things, to ensure efficient service delivery, curb and 28 O Azfar, J Livingston and P Meagher "Decentralisation in Uganda" in P Bardhan prevent corruption, and ensure that local authorities deliver on their development mandate. 34 Under UCA, for instance, the Minister is empowered to "direct a council to reverse, suspend or rescind any of its resolutions or decisions if he or she considers that the resolutions or decisions are not in the interest of the inhabitants of the area, or in the national or public interest". 35 The Minister may also appoint investigators to enquire into the affairs of any urban local authority.…”

Section: Supervisory Powers Of the Minister Responsible For Local Govmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ministerial Directives to Local Government in Zimbabwe: Top-Down Governance in a Decentralized Constitution

2017

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Urban and rural local authorities constitute the lowest tier of Zimbabwe's multilevel system of government. These local governments have a constitutional "right to govern" that must be exercised within the constitutional, legislative and policy framework. Under the old constitutional order, the national government could supervise urban local authorities, for example by issuing policy directives to ensure that these authorities governed in a manner that enabled them to deliver on national and local goals. This article examines this supervisory instrument, the powers it gives the national government, its use in practice and its relevance under the new constitutional order. The main argument is that supervisory instruments, such as the power to issue policy directives to local governments, are necessary in any multilevel system of government. However, such supervisory powers must be balanced with the need for local autonomy, to allow local governments to deliver on their service delivery obligations and development mandate.

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