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Urban Local Governance in the Crucible: empirical overtones of central government meddling in local urban councils affairs in Zimbabwe

Author

Listed:
  • Jonga WELLINGTON

    (Ethiopian Civil Service College, POB 5648, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

  • Chirisa INNOCENT

    (Department of Rural & Urban Planning, University of Zimbabwe, POB MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe)

Abstract

This article explores the criticalness of decentralized governance as a solution towards service delivery challenges experienced by urban centres. But, in Zimbabwe centre-local relations are a phenomenological reflection of a tendency towards (re)centralization than decentralization. This is clearly visible in the widespread political interference by central government’s Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing in the administrative affairs of urban councils. The results from a survey of a sample of fifty-two respondents on the Zimbabwean urban governance status revealed that issues of political interference revolved around the firing of legitimate councils and mayors, control of all council reforms including generation of funds, politicking in the chambers, unlawful appointments, and the use of commissions. Constitutional amendment has been cited as a big step towards political interference in urban governance of the country.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonga WELLINGTON & Chirisa INNOCENT, 2009. "Urban Local Governance in the Crucible: empirical overtones of central government meddling in local urban councils affairs in Zimbabwe," Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management, Research Centre in Public Administration and Public Services, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 4(3(12)), pages 166-182, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:rom:terumm:v:4:y:2009:i:12:p:166-182
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    decentralisation; citizenship; sustainable development; urban politics; constitution; financial management; interference;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H83 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Public Administration
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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