Harare, (New Ziana) –Housing cooperatives in Zimbabwe have been urged to follow the legal frameworks provided in the statutes mandating them to religiously hold annual general meetings (AGMs) to ratify key decisions and hold leaders accountable.
Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Kevin Mutimbanyoka made the call on Thursday after touring the Hatcliffe Housing Union Cooperative houses.
“As we celebrate your achievements, let us also remember that sustainability requires good governance. The Cooperative Societies Act provides a framework to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in the management of cooperatives. Strong governance is not just about compliance, it is about protecting the trust of your members, ensuring equitable access, and safeguarding the future of your cooperative.
This commitment to good governance is operationalized through specific, non-negotiable compliance mechanisms. The legal framework mandates that every cooperative hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM), which is the supreme governing body where members exercise their democratic rights,” he said.
He said furthermore, the principle of economic membership should be upheld, ensuring that financial contributions, benefits, and responsibilities are shared equitably among all members, cementing the cooperative as a true community of shared interest and mutual support.
Complementing this, he said, yearly audits by independent auditors should not be mere formalities but a vital tool for financial transparency, protecting members’ investments and ensuring the cooperative’s resources are managed prudently for the collective good.
Mutimbanyoka noted that crucial to the success of the cooperative’s efforts is the collaborative framework between key institutions that include the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, and the Harare City Council who provide policy guidance, technical oversight, and allocate land.
The tripartite partnership, he added, ensures that planning, infrastructure rollout, and service delivery are aligned, reducing bureaucratic delays and fostering integrated human settlements that are both affordable and livable.
Mutimbanyoka also made it clear that cooperatives were never banned since their establishment.
“Cooperatives are a result of an Act of Parliament, the Cooperative Societies Act, Chapter 24:05, which was never repealed. Their existence and legitimacy are enshrined in providing a permanent and protected space for collective enterprise and community development. Let us strengthen governance structures so that cooperatives remain accountable and transparent.
“Above all, let us continue to work together as government, cooperatives, and communities to ensure that no family is left behind. In doing so, we will not only fulfill the World Habitat agenda but also bring Zimbabwe closer to achieving Vision 2030 and the aspirations of National Development Strategy-1 (NDS-1) and NDS-2,” he said.
New Ziana
