By Dennis Ndlovu I Zim GBC News
Zimbabwe’s government has urged local authorities to strengthen planning discipline and modernise water management systems as councils validate their 2026–2030 strategic plans, annual plans and performance contracts.
The call was made on 27 January in Bulawayo during a validation meeting attended by mayors, council chairpersons, town clerks, town secretaries and chief executive officers from local authorities across the country.
Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe said councils could not meaningfully plan for the future without the institutional capacity required to sustain essential services, particularly water provision.
“We cannot aspire to a future without the legal, administrative and technological systems required to support water rehabilitation,” he said.
Water security, he warned, remained under serious threat, with non-revenue water continuing to undermine the financial viability of many councils.
“Non-revenue water remains one of the most significant threats to the viability of local authorities,” Mr Garwe said.
To address the problem, the ministry is driving a transition towards smart water metering, which it believes will improve accountability, track losses and boost revenue collection.
“Smart meters are no longer a future aspiration. They are an operational necessity, as we speak,” the minister said.
Alongside metering reforms, the government plans to replace more than 6,400 kilometres of ageing water pipes to curb leakages and losses, while expanding infrastructure to increase water production capacity.
Mr Garwe said existing installations were no longer adequate to meet growing urban demand driven by population growth and urban expansion.
However, he cautioned that infrastructure reforms would fail without competent and motivated personnel, urging councils to prioritise human capital development.
“Recruitment alone is insufficient. Staff must be retained, continuously upskilled and properly motivated,” he said.
The ministry is also preparing to introduce service delivery standards awards in line with minimum service benchmarks, signalling a tougher stance on underperforming councils.
“Improvement is an imperative. Excellence in growth will be recognised, but poor performance will not be tolerated,” Mr Garwe said.
He stressed the importance of discipline in planning and budgeting, warning that late submissions undermined effective service delivery. Several councils with outstanding budgets were urged to submit them without delay.
The minister also called on councillors and officials to rise above political differences and focus on building a lasting legacy for residents.
“That is the legacy that must bring smiles to the residents a legacy other countries will want to learn from,” he said.
Mr Garwe further warned against illegal land sales, saying land barons were exploiting communities through fraud and double-selling of land.
“The existence of land barons in our communities is causing pain and suffering to innocent citizens,” he said.
Acknowledging the pressures facing local authorities including droughts, floods and economic constraints. He urged councils to communicate challenges early with the ministry to prevent the loss of public assets through negligence.
“A problem shared is a problem solved. Please don’t run away from us,” Hon Garwe said.
He said the reforms reflected the expectations of President Emmerson Mnangagwa for accountable, efficient and citizen-focused local governance as the country pursues its national development goals.
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