Bulawayo, (New Ziana)-The Zimbabwe government is set to privatise key service delivery functions in major cities by the end of the year including Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare, and Kwekwe, as part of a broader push to enhance efficiency.
This was said by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe while addressing delegates at the 4th Edition of the All Councilors Indaba held at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEB) in the second largest city.
The Indaba brought together all 2 585 policy makers and their executives, drawn from the 92 Local Authorities in the country. Held under the theme ‘Benchmarking Service Delivery Towards Attainment of Vision 2030,’ the event aligns with government commitment to enhancing quality service delivery for citizens in both urban and rural areas.
The decision to privatise critical service delivery sectors such as water and waste management comes after the successful partnership between the City of Harare and Geo Pomona Waste Management.
It also follows years of deteriorating municipal services, with many local authorities struggling to provide portable water and waste management, contributing to public health crises, including recurring outbreaks of cholera and typhoid, underscoring the urgent need for reform.
“I am pleased to report that, among our key achievements, we have followed your directive (President Mnangagwa) to engage the private sector in forging partnerships with local authorities to enhance service delivery. Notably, we have already privatised solid waste management, waste collection, and water delivery in the City of Harare. This is a significant step toward improving efficiency and sustainability,” said Garwe.
“We are now expanding our efforts to include liquid waste management, and following our progress in Harare, we will be bringing these reforms to Bulawayo. Just last week, we reviewed the progress of privatising key service delivery functions in major cities to ensure efficiency and improved standards,” he added.
He noted that most local authorities have made significant progress in implementing the ‘Call to Action: No Compromise to Service Delivery’ initiative, which President Mnangagwa launched in 2023.
“Regarding Master Plans, I am pleased to report that all 92 local authorities have achieved 100 percent completion. This milestone has been fully accomplished. On Enterprise Resource Planning implementation, we have reached 90 percent completion, with 90 local authorities having successfully operationalised these systems,” he added.
Garwe encouraged local authorities lagging behind to work hard to catch up with others. He said the launch of the Urban State Land Management Policy marks a decisive step forward in eradicating the scourge of land barons.
“This policy will completely eliminate the predatory practices of land barons. With the moratorium on land sales now lifted, this comprehensive policy provides the framework we need for proper urban land administration. I urge all stakeholders to implement this policy with full commitment,” he said.
Garwe further announced that his Ministry had declared a moratorium on changes to land reservations and use, a measure designed to restore order and ensure organized urban development.
“We have observed uncontrolled proliferation of service stations at every street corner, particularly in Harare. Similarly, we have witnessed casinos mushrooming in inappropriate urban locations. This is the consequence of us not having proper regulations. With our new policy framework and the strengthened Urban Councils Act, we are restoring order. These instruments will ensure planned, regulated development in both urban and rural settlements,” he said.
Garwe said his Ministry was working to ensure local councils align with the national priorities of economic stabilisation, growth, and sustainability.
New Ziana
