Staff Reporter
Cabinet yesterday approved the Provincial Metropolitan Council Bill whose essential elements will provide how provincial councils are constituted by removing voting powers initially conferred to members of Parliament from the organ so as not to compromise their oversight role on the Executive.
The Bill seeks to provide for the corporate status of provincial and metropolitan councils in line with Government’s devolution agenda.
Addressing the media during a post-Cabinet meeting in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said Cabinet had considered and approved the proposed law.
Minister Mutsvangwa revealed that the Bill was presented before Cabinet by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi as chairman of the Cabinet Committee on legislation.
“Cabinet was informed that the current Provincial Councils and Administration Act (Chapter 29:11) should be amended to align with the Constitution. Chapter 14 of the Constitution provides for matters to do with the creation of Provincial and Metropolitan Councils in line with the principles of devolution.
“The Constitution further provides for the financial matters in relation to the devolution of power in Chapter 17 of the Constitution,” said the Minister.
Minister Mutsvangwa said some of the major highlights of the Bill are providing for the repealing of the Provincial Councils and Administration Act (Chapter 29:11) and substituting it with Provincial and Metropolitan Councils Act, provide for the corporate status of councils and procedure for alteration of provinces, give direction for the procedure to be followed in altering boundaries of provinces and districts in consultation with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the people in the Provinces and Districts concerned.
Other highlights, the Minister said are providing for the functions of Provincial and Metropolitan Councils, guidance on how membership for the Provincial and Metropolitan Councils will be constituted, providing for the conditions of service for council members, give directions on the election of a Council chairperson and the establishment of Committees of Provincial and Metropolitan Councils.
