By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Union of Residents and Ratepayers Associations (ZURRA) has welcomed the Municipal Police and Courts Bill, which Cabinet approved on Tuesday, describing it as an important step toward strengthening local governance and aligning with constitutional provisions on devolution.
Addressing journalists in Harare on Wednesday, ZURRA spokesperson Marvellous Kumalo said the association supports the Bill because it complements Chapter 14 of the Constitution.
He however stressed that the devolution agenda would remain incomplete until comprehensive legislation is enacted to fully implement the constitutional framework.
“The enactment of a Devolution Act should therefore be prioritized to provide a clear legal framework for the powers, functions, accountability, mechanisms and intergovernmental relations of local authorities. Municipal police and municipal courts should be implemented as part of a coherent and comprehensive devolution agenda rather than as a stand-alone reform.
“While we appreciate the reservations and concerns raised by residents and our membership regarding the granting of arresting powers to municipal police officers, particularly in light of reported cases of unprofessional conduct, human rights violations, and corruption, we view this reform as a potentially positive step towards strengthening the enforcement of municipal by-laws and improving local governance,” he said.
Kumalo said local authorities continue to face growing challenges, including land invasions, illegal sand mining, water pollution and widespread violations of municipal by-laws, making it necessary to establish stronger enforcement institutions.
He said adequately empowered municipal police services, supported by specialized municipal courts, would improve compliance with local regulations and ensure offences are dealt with more effectively.
M
unicipalities are constitutionally recognized as the third tier of government and therefore have a responsibility to uphold the rights of citizens in all their operations, he said.
Khumalo said municipal officials should carry out their duties lawfully, transparently and in a manner that promotes accountability to the communities they serve.
“We are aware that in some local authority areas, particularly in Harare, municipal police officers have been accused of operating without proper identification, adequate training, and professional standards. In some instances, residents have compared their operations to those of informal militia groups. These concerns must be addressed through provisions in the Municipal Police and Courts Bill that establish clear standards on recruitment, training, identification, conduct, accountability and oversight,” he said.
As Parliament prepares to begin nationwide public consultations on the proposed legislation, Kumalo encouraged residents and ratepayers to actively participate in the process by submitting their views.
He said broad public involvement would assist in ensuring the final law responds to community concerns while promoting accountability, human rights and effective local governance.
“Active citizen engagement is critical to ensuring that the Bill strengthens local governance, protects human rights, enhances accountability and reflects the aspirations of communities in line with the principles of devolution. ZURRA will undertake a detailed analysis of the Bill and share its findings with member associations to promote informed and robust community engagement during the consultation process,” he said.
Kumalo also called on the government to urgently enact a Devolution Act to give full effect to Chapter 14 of the Constitution and establish a comprehensive legal framework for local government reforms.
In addition, he recommended extensive public awareness campaigns and civic education on the Municipal Police and Courts Bill, encouraged residents’ associations to make meaningful contributions during public hearings, and urged municipal police officers to uphold professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights in carrying out their duties.
New Ziana
