Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube | Zim GBC News
HARARE — The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has announced the approval of 90 out of 92 local authority budgets for 2026, with only one council’s submission rejected and another yet to submit its financial plan.
In a press statement issued Wednesday, Minister Hon. D. Garwe (MP) confirmed that the comprehensive budget review process conducted at provincial level has resulted in approvals for the majority of councils, some with conditions attached to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
“Of the ninety-two (92) Local Authorities, ninety (90) budgets have been approved, some with conditions,” the Minister announced.
“Rushinga Rural District Council is yet to submit its 2026 budget, while the budget for Bikita Rural District Council was rejected on the basis that it was uneconomic and would have adversely affected service delivery.”
Technical Support for Affected Councils
The Ministry has moved swiftly to address the gaps identified in the budget review process, with District Development Coordinators set to provide technical assistance to councils requiring support.
“The Ministry, through the District Development Coordinators, will provide the necessary technical support to assist the affected councils in addressing the identified gaps,” Minister Garwe stated.
The budget assessment was conducted by multidisciplinary teams at provincial level, including experts from institutions of higher learning, to ensure full compliance with the Constitution of Zimbabwe and relevant legislation, notably the Rural District Councils Act and the Urban Councils Act.
Minimum Service Delivery Standards Rollout
A key focus of the 2026 budget cycle is the implementation of Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS) to improve service delivery at the local level.
“The approval process also incorporated measures to ensure that Local Authorities start implementing the Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS) to improve service delivery at the local level,” the Minister explained.
“In this regard, the Ministry will roll out outreach programmes to support councils in implementing MSDS.”
The MSDS initiative is expected to standardize service delivery across all local authorities, ensuring that residents receive consistent and quality services regardless of their location.
Business Climate Improvements Noted
Most budgets reflected progress in the implementation of Cabinet Guidelines on licences, fees, and permits, which has resulted in improved stakeholder cooperation and increased economic activity.
“These measures are expected to further enhance the ease of doing business, improve revenue collection, and strengthen service delivery,” Minister Garwe noted.
The positive trajectory in billing systems was acknowledged, with authorities recording improvements compared to previous years.
Revenue Collection Challenges Persist
Despite progress in billing, revenue collection remains a significant hurdle for local authorities. The Ministry highlighted that budget execution continues to be constrained by low disbursement of devolution funds and weak collection mechanisms.
“While billing by Local Authorities has improved compared to previous years, revenue collection remains a challenge. Budget execution continues to be constrained by low disbursement of devolution funds and weak collections,” the statement read.
Minister Garwe called on both Treasury and residents to fulfil their obligations to enable councils to deliver quality services.
Enhanced Monitoring Ahead
To ensure accountability and proper resource utilization, the Ministry’s Inspectorate Department will intensify monitoring of local authority operations.
“The Ministry will continue to engage Treasury and residents to honour their respective obligations to enable councils to deliver quality services. The Ministry’s Inspectorate Department will also intensify monitoring to ensure the effective and efficient use of resources,” Minister Garwe concluded.
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