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International
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International Journal of Political Science and Development Vol. 2(8), pp. 188 –196, September, 2014. DOI: 10.14662/IJPSD2014.038 ISSN: 2360-784X
Research Paper
Exploring Local Governance Challenges in Zimbabwe under the Government of National Unity era and beyond
Didmus Dewa1, Cowen Dziva2 and K Mukwashi3
1Development Studies and Peace with Zimbabwe Open University Midlands Region. Corresponding author’s Email: didmusdewa@yahoo.co.uk. 263774387011 2Peace Studies practitioner and Educator of Shona and English studies.
Accepted 16 September 2014 [1] Didmus Dewa is the Lead Author and a Lecturer of Development Studies and Peace with Zimbabwe Open University Midlands Region. Interested in Gender, Governance, Political Science and Human Rights issues. Contactable on didmusdewa@yahoo.co.uk, 263774387011 [2] Cowen Dziva is a post gaduate of Developemt studies and a Lecturer of Political science. He is woking in the Human Rights area, contactable on 263 773953892 [3] Kuzivakwashe Mukwashi is a Peace Studies practitioner and Educator of Shona and English studies. Interested in Political Science issues, Peace Building and Governance matters. Contactable on 263773643522
Local governance
institutions are poised to foster development in Africa as they are
at the centre of people participation. In Zimbabwe, the local
governance sector is positioned to stimulate good governance and
development, courtesy of the decentralization policy adopted by
President Mugabe at independence in 1980. Since then, decentralized
local authorities strived to service all areas under their
jurisdiction adequately. However, the new millennium saw
deterioration in service provision by Local Authorities largely due
to the socio-economic and political dynamics and dimensions
enveloping Zimbabwe. Such problems manifest themselves through
downward trend in water supply; refuse collection; greening, and
deterioration of educational and recreational facilities. Gweru city
is one of such cities in Zimbabwe hit by local governance challenges
even after the introduction of the multi-currency regime in 2008.
The unique socio-economic and political stability ushered in by the
GNU in Zimbabwe did not commensurate with deteriorating service
delivery standards in cities. Through the use of literature review,
observations, interviews and questionnaires, the study highlights
the following governance challenges; corruption, political
interference, incompetence and negation of residence to be behind
poor service delivery in Gweru city during and after the Government
of National Unity epoch (2008-2013). The paper recommends the
alignment of governance laws and local authority laws with the
Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20) Act 2013.
Cite This Article As: Dewa D, Dziva C and Mukwashi K (2014). Exploring Local Governance Challenges in Zimbabwe under the Government of National Unity era and beyond. Inter. J. Polit. Sci. Develop. 2(8): 188-196.
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