The government has tightened oversight over local authorities by ordering that all donor-funded workshops, training programmes, conferences, and benchmarking visits involving councils must first receive ministerial approval.
The directive by Local Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe places all council-related training and travel under stricter state scrutiny, including activities funded or coordinated by development partners, private institutions, and government agencies.
The latest directive signals that, beyond freezing travel and workshops, the government now wants greater control over who trains councils, who funds those engagements, and what outcomes they deliver.
The order, contained in a circular dated May 27, came amid growing concern within government over what it describes as excessive participation by councils in workshops, seminars, foreign travel, and “look-and-learn” visits at the expense of service delivery.
Garwe’s directive effectively means development partners—including NGOs, international agencies, and donor organisations that regularly support local authorities through technical workshops, governance training, and exchange visits—will now need government clearance before engaging councils.
The move is expected to trigger debate over whether the new restrictions are aimed at improving accountability or tightening central government control over local authorities.
“The ministry has noted with concern the increasing number of workshops, foreign travel, look-and-learn visits, conferences and related activities being undertaken by Local Authorities at the expense of service delivery priorities,” Garwe said.
The minister said the restrictions would not only apply to council-funded activities, but also to programmes initiated by outside institutions.
- Benzema confident Real will reach UCL final
- Rigging exposes widening Mnangagwa, Chiwenga rift
- Health talk: Mental health disorders and demolitions in Zimbabwe
- Munatsi family speaks on banker’s shock death
Keep Reading
“This directive equally applies to activities initiated or coordinated by other government ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, associations, private entities or any other institutions,” Garwe said.
“All requests and invitations relating to such activities shall therefore be submitted to the ministry for consideration before any commitments to participate or attend are made.”
Over the years, development partners have played a significant role in supporting councils in areas such as water management, sanitation, urban planning, climate resilience, and governance reforms, particularly as many local authorities struggle with limited resources and deteriorating infrastructure.
The government, however, says future approvals will only be granted to programmes with measurable service delivery outcomes.
“Consideration for approval of such activities shall strictly be based on their contribution towards the attainment of the minimum service delivery standards and improvement of service delivery in local authorities,” Garwe said.
“Priority shall only be accorded to activities with clear and measurable benefits to core service delivery mandates.”
Critics have long questioned whether some workshops and travel programmes produce meaningful benefits for residents, arguing that certain engagements have become expensive administrative routines with little visible impact on service delivery.
However, concerns may also emerge from development circles over whether increased bureaucratic controls could delay urgent training and technical support.
Garwe warned that non-compliance would attract administrative action.
“The ministry wishes to advise that non-compliance with this directive will not be tolerated,” he said.
“Appropriate administrative action shall be taken against any local authority or official found to be acting in contravention of this circular”.
