The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Hon. Daniel Garwe, has issued a stern warning to councillors and traditional leaders from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, and Matabeleland South provinces over corruption, mismanagement of funds, poor governance, and illegal land allocations.

Speaking during a meeting with Chiefs, Councillors, Chief Executives, and District Development Coordinators (DDCs) from the three provinces, Hon. Garwe called for urgent reforms to restore integrity, transparency, and accountability in local authorities. He was accompanied by Deputy Minister Hon. A.T. Mavunga.

Hon. Garwe emphasised that Government remains committed to building efficient, transparent, and service-oriented local authorities that drive national development in line with Vision 2030.

“There is a need to promote good governance, coordination, and unity of purpose to deliver quality services to our people,” he said.

The Minister expressed concern over reports that some local authorities in Matabeleland North were using Estate Accounts without ministerial approval and misappropriating funds earmarked for community development. He, however, commended Nkayi Rural District Council for adhering to proper procedures.

“Councils must stop treating local authorities as personal tuckshops. Proceeds from the sale of stands must fund infrastructure such as roads, water, and sewer systems — not personal gain,” he warned.

Hon. Garwe condemned the rise in illegal settlements in districts such as Umguza and Bubi, which he linked to land barons and some traditional leaders.

“Matabeleland North has become notorious for illegal land developments, some dubbed ‘Sabhuku Deals.’ This is unacceptable in the Second Republic and must stop immediately,” he said, warning that those involved would face dismissal and prosecution.

In Matabeleland South, Hon. Garwe said an audit revealed serious administrative and financial irregularities, including weak revenue collection, poor accounting practices, and delayed audits dating back to 2021.

He urged councils to improve billing systems, enforce by-laws, and mobilise communities to pay rates and levies to sustain service delivery.

“Sustainable development can only be achieved when councils have a predictable financial base,” he said.

Hon. Garwe also criticised unethical conduct within councils, including the dismissal of competent staff for political or personal reasons.

“Some of you chase away intelligent employees to hide your wrongdoing. Let us practise self-introspection as leaders,” he said.

He urged local authorities to revive Village and Ward Development Committees (VIDCOs and WADCOs) to strengthen grassroots participation and commended Gwanda, Umzingwane, and Insiza Rural District Councils for effectively using devolution funds to invest in infrastructure and service delivery.

The Minister warned that the Government is monitoring council activities closely and will take action against those involved in illegal dealings.

“The Ministry is aware of what is happening, and the law will catch up with those involved in corruption,” he said.

On social issues, Hon. Garwe called for decisive community action against drug and substance abuse, urging councils to prioritise youth programmes and recreational facilities in their local development plans.

“Drug and substance abuse is a serious threat to our nation’s future. Councils must make youth centres and recreational spaces a priority,” he said.

He encouraged all councillors and traditional leaders to lead with integrity, unity, and dedication to public service.

“Our communities are watching, and the future of our provinces depends on your honesty and hard work,” he said.

Later, Hon. Garwe addressed Provincial Chiefs’ Assemblies from both provinces, assuring traditional leaders that the Government is committed to improving their welfare.

He said President E.D. Mnangagwa is championing the creation of an Economic Empowerment Committee that will involve chiefs, government, and communities in driving inclusive growth and sustainable development.

The meetings were attended by Chiefs, Councillors, DDCs, Chief Executive Officers, Town Secretaries, and Town Clerks, and form part of a nationwide programme to strengthen governance, restore accountability, and accelerate the Vision 2030 agenda through effective local authorities.

The Parliament of Zimbabwe has entered into strategic partnerships with five key organisations through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing collaboration on governance, gender equality, and evidence-based policymaking.

The MoUs were signed with the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ), IDinsight, Gender & Media Connect (GMC), the Legal Resources Foundation (LRF), and the Women’s Action Group (WAG) during a ceremony held in Harare.

Under the agreements, each partner will contribute specific expertise to strengthen Parliament’s legislative, oversight, and representation functions. The Law Society of Zimbabwe will assist Parliament with legislative drafting and legal research, ensuring that laws are sound, consistent, and in line with constitutional principles.

IDinsight will provide data-driven analysis and evidence-based insights to improve parliamentary decision-making and strengthen oversight on national policies and programmes.

Gender & Media Connect will focus on promoting gender mainstreaming within parliamentary work and amplifying women’s voices in legislative processes, while the Legal Resources Foundation will play a key role in public legal education and enhancing access to justice, particularly for marginalized communities.

The Women’s Action Group will work closely with Parliament to advance gender-responsive legislation and promote women’s empowerment across social and economic sectors.

Speaking during the ceremony, parliamentary representatives emphasised that these partnerships reaffirm Parliament’s commitment to inclusive governance, human rights, and evidence-informed national development.

The initiative is expected to strengthen collaboration between Parliament and civil society, ensuring that legislative and policy decisions reflect the needs and aspirations of all Zimbabweans, particularly women and vulnerable groups.

Zimbabwe is experiencing intensified power outages following the shutdown of Unit 6 at the Hwange Power Station due to a system failure. The development threatens to plunge large parts of the country into darkness.

Unit 6, one of the original thermal generation units commissioned in the 1980s, has an installed capacity of 220 megawatts (MW). Its sudden breakdown has worsened the country’s already fragile electricity supply, which continues to be hampered by persistent load-shedding and ageing infrastructure.

“Hwange Unit 6 has been taken off the grid due to a system failure. The unit will be out of operation for a period of three days and is expected to return to service on October 10,” ZESA said.

During this period, Hwange Power Station will continue to operate with three units in service. ZPC acknowledged the inconvenience caused and expressed appreciation for the public’s patience as efforts are made to restore full generation capacity.