Big boost for devolution. . . as Zanu-PF mulls changes to Constitution 

Source: Big boost for devolution. . . as Zanu-PF mulls changes to Constitution | The Herald December 17, 2018

President Mnangagwa chats with Zanu-PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (centre) and political commissar Engelbert Rugeje at the ruling party’s 17th National People’s Conference at Umzingwane High School in Esigodini on Saturday. — Picture by Tawanda Mudimu

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
ZANU-PF has proposed amendments to the national Constitution to streamline the functions of Provincial Councils as part of wider efforts to effectively implement devolution of powers from Central Government.

This is contained in the resolutions adopted at the end of the ruling party’s 17th Annual National People’s Conference held in Esigodini, Matabeleland South Province, last week.

The amendments seek to stop members of Parliament from being part of Provincial Councils and instead to exercise an oversight role over their operations.

“It is proposed that Provincial Councils be constituted only by elected councillors and their chairpersons and mayors of urban councils.

“It is proposed to amend the Constitution to exclude all members of Parliament from being members of Provincial Councils,” reads part of the resolutions.

Currently, the Constitution allows MPs to be part of Provincial Councils and President Mnangagwa has said this would make it difficult for legislators to exercise an oversight over the councils.

The ruling party also resolved that Provincial Affairs Ministers should coordinate development projects in their respective provinces.

“It is resolved that the role of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, as provincial representatives of His Excellency the President, be to provide overall coordination of development programmes.

“That the role of Provincial Councils be to provide legislative framework on provincial economic development through the production of economic development plans,” the ruling party further resolved.