This chapter evaluates ZimbabweZimbabwe’s rural local governanceGovernance system and decentralisationDecentralisation frameworks. The country’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be fully realised through inclusive rural development. The functioning of rural district councilsRural District Councils reflects a blend of decentralisationDecentralisation mechanisms, with devolutionDevolution, delegation, deconcentration, and privatisation all playing visible roles. Post-independence reforms introduced decentralisationDecentralisation primarily as deconcentration, with sector ministries leading rural development through provincial and district offices. The Rural District CouncilsRural District Councils Act reflects devolutionDevolution in the presence of elected councils mandated to deliver local services and infrastructure. Delegation and privatisation are evident through parastatal involvement and partnerships in key sectors such as water, power, and roads. The constitutional shift in 2013 under Chapter 14 provided a legal foundation for devolutionDevolution, aiming to localise decision-making and resource allocation. Complementary frameworks such as the DevolutionDevolution and DecentralisationDecentralisation Policy (2020), National Development Strategy 1 (2021–2025), and Vision 2030 support these principles. Yet, in practice, rural local governments operate with constrained autonomy, limited fiscalFiscal capacity, and minimal legislative support. Section 301 mandates intergovernmental transfers of 5% of national revenue, but these funds are not adequate to meet the developmental needs of rural areas.. The chapter argues that the rural local governanceGovernance system is still dominated by a centralised control and planning.Central government field officers  have influence and shape local development agendas.For ZimbabweZimbabwe to achieve inclusive sustainable development its decentralisationDecentralisation reforms must evolve beyond political control towards administrative restructuring of local authorities.This also requires that communities have a meaningful voice in local planning, budgeting, and development decision-making.. Legal reforms, fiscalFiscal decentralisationDecentralisation, and participatoryDecentraisation governanceGovernance are essential to enhance service deliveryService delivery, reduce poverty, and localise the implementation of the Sustainable Development GoalsSustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in rural areas.

Rural Local Government System in Zimbabwe

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发表日期：

2026年

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Kadmiel H. Wekwete,
Cosmas T. Shoko

摘要

This chapter evaluates ZimbabweZimbabwe’s rural local governanceGovernance system and decentralisationDecentralisation frameworks. The country’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be fully realised through inclusive rural development. The functioning of rural district councilsRural District Councils reflects a blend of decentralisationDecentralisation mechanisms, with devolutionDevolution, delegation, deconcentration, and privatisation all playing visible roles. Post-independence reforms introduced decentralisationDecentralisation primarily as deconcentration, with sector ministries leading rural development through provincial and district offices. The Rural District CouncilsRural District Councils Act reflects devolutionDevolution in the presence of elected councils mandated to deliver local services and infrastructure. Delegation and privatisation are evident through parastatal involvement and partnerships in key sectors such as water, power, and roads. The constitutional shift in 2013 under Chapter 14 provided a legal foundation for devolutionDevolution, aiming to localise decision-making and resource allocation. Complementary frameworks such as the DevolutionDevolution and DecentralisationDecentralisation Policy (2020), National Development Strategy 1 (2021–2025), and Vision 2030 support these principles. Yet, in practice, rural local governments operate with constrained autonomy, limited fiscalFiscal capacity, and minimal legislative support. Section 301 mandates intergovernmental transfers of 5% of national revenue, but these funds are not adequate to meet the developmental needs of rural areas.. The chapter argues that the rural local governanceGovernance system is still dominated by a centralised control and planning.Central government field officers have influence and shape local development agendas.For ZimbabweZimbabwe to achieve inclusive sustainable development its decentralisationDecentralisation reforms must evolve beyond political control towards administrative restructuring of local authorities.This also requires that communities have a meaningful voice in local planning, budgeting, and development decision-making.. Legal reforms, fiscalFiscal decentralisationDecentralisation, and participatoryDecentraisation governanceGovernance are essential to enhance service deliveryService delivery, reduce poverty, and localise the implementation of the Sustainable Development GoalsSustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in rural areas.