International Journal of Political Science and Development
 

International Journal of Political Science and Development

Vol. 6(8), pp. 258-268, December, 2018. 

DOI: 10.14662/IJPSD2018.051

ISSN: 2360-784X

Review

De-politicising the Local Government Landscape: Evidence from the Law and Practice of Local Government in Zimbabwe

¹Jephias Mapuva and ²Delis Mazambani

1Department of Geography and Development Studies, Faculty of Science, Bindura University, Bindura

2Africa University, College of Business, Peace Leadership and Governance, Mutare

Accepted 16 November 2018

Political neutrality is one of the cardinal conditions for the success of democratic local governance. Local government demands from its employees, not only political neutrality but also integrity and impartiality of conduct. This paper provides a critique of Section 266 of the Constitution, which juxtaposes the right of metropolitan, provincial and local council employees to take part in political activities, with the State's duty that of seeking to depoliticise local governance, hence this paper provides the need for political neutrality. The discussion focuses on Section 266 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) which provides for political neutrality on local government employees during the dispensing of their official duties. Politicisation of local government functions by responsible officials would tend not only compromise efficiency and effectiveness but would eventually jeorpadise the local government system in general and corruption is most likely to creep in. This paper outlines the constitutional ethical framework pertaining to non-partisan conduct of employees of metropolitan, provincial and local council employees. These employees have a responsibility to act legally and politically neutral in carrying out their duties in compliance with the principles outlined in the Constitution and the local governance legislation. Through desk research, this paper comes up with a model for balancing rights of council employees with public administration and good governance principles as outlined in Section 9 of the Constitution.

Key words: local governance, political neutrality, regulatory framework, effectiveness

Cite this article as: Mapuva, J., Mazambani, D. (2018). De-politicising the Local Government Landscape: Evidence from the Law and Practice of Local Government in Zimbabwe. Int. J. Polit. Sci. Develop. 6(8) 258-268