Minister Mavunga Urges Councils to Align 2026 Budgets With NDS2

Government has urged local authorities to ensure that their 2026 financial plans are fully aligned with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), as part of efforts to strengthen service delivery and fast-track national progress towards Vision 2030.

Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Albert Mavunga, delivered the message during a visit to vending sites in Victoria Falls on Tuesday. The tour is part of a nationwide assessment of trading areas following a government directive targeting illegal vending operations.

“NDS2 and local authority programmes must be in sync. We are encouraged to see that the Victoria Falls council is already implementing initiatives that support NDS2 pillars. As you know, NDS2 is central to our journey towards Vision 2030 and achieving an upper-middle-income economy. We expect all councils to craft budgets that reflect and support the national strategy,” Honourable Mavunga said.

Officials from the City of Victoria Falls said they are working to streamline vending activities and ensure traders operate from designated spaces.

“We appreciate the Deputy Minister’s engagement. Traders welcomed the dialogue and raised several issues, including concerns about competition from Zambian vendors conducting door-to-door sales outside formal markets. Night vending is prohibited and often linked to illegal activities, and we will continue enforcing our by-laws,” said the city’s Housing Director, Mr Brian Nyamande.

As NDS2 implementation gathers pace, accountable and responsive local authorities remain key drivers of community development and the broader Vision 2030 agenda.

Honourable Mavunga is currently on a nationwide tour assessing vending sites to monitor compliance with the government’s directive banning illegal vending. The tour also seeks to encourage councils to create sufficient and properly serviced trading spaces for vendors.

So far, the team has visited Gweru and Victoria Falls, with Mutare, Masvingo, Kwekwe, Bulawayo, Chinhoyi and Beitbridge scheduled for upcoming inspections.