Rudo Saungweme
Government through the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has today held the 9th Devolution Conference, a program that is in support of Vision 2030 of attaining a middle income economy.
Local Government Minister, Honourable July Moyo said that Devolution was a sub sector of decentralisation.
“Devolution is a sub sector of decentralization-which has two aspects that is Decongestion or Decentralisation and Devolution,” said Honourable Minister Moyo.
Minister Moyo said that Decongestion of Decentralisation does not give power to Minister of State to make laws but to exercise powers as stated by the Government.
“Decongestion of Decentralisation, however, does not give power to Minister of State to make money or make laws but exercise powers as stated by the Government which is delegation of work to provide services nearest to people,” he said.
Honourable Moyo said that after decentralization, Minister of State would then act out certain functions.
“Once people are decentralised, it is now the duty of the Minister of State to act out the functions which are; representing the President, coordinating all functions of Government and central Government and developmental role to articulate the developmental agenda of the province” said the Minister.
Minister Moyo said that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had given himself task of chairing the cabinet committee of devolution, which was the first time a President chairs a committee.
He added that devolution is ability to hire and fire own people, which is principle of subsidiary unlike the Minister of State office that cannot do this.
The Zimbabwean Constitution Amendment (No.20) Act 2013 provides the framework for devolution of Governmental powers and responsibilities in Section 264.
In section 5 of the Constitution, the tiers of Government provided are the national Government, provincial and metropolitan councils as well as local authorities.
