Govt cuts council delegations to ZITF 

Source: Govt cuts council delegations to ZITF – herald

Herald Reporter

RESIDENTS and ratepayers have welcomed a directive from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works limiting each local authority to just five officials at this year’s ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, a move aimed at cutting costs and improving accountability.

In a directive issued to councils nationwide, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr John Basera, said the restriction is part of broader efforts to ensure prudent use of public funds, amid growing concerns over excessive travel and accommodation expenses by local authorities.

“The ministry wishes to bring to your attention the upcoming 2026 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), scheduled to take place in Bulawayo from 20 to 25 April 2026,” the letter reads.

“To ensure coordinated, efficient and cost-effective representation, the Ministry hereby directs that the delegation for each participating local authority be limited to a maximum of five officials, comprising the following: Town Clerk/Town Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Mayor/Chairperson, Public Relations Officer, and two additional personnel to support exhibition activities.

“The above delegation composition is mandatory and applies uniformly to all local authorities attending the Fair. Local authorities are expected to strictly adhere to this guidance. Non-compliance will be noted and may affect future participation in such initiatives and exhibitions.”

In previous years, local authorities sent large delegations to the annual trade fair and other showcases, often including councillors and senior management.

Critics say such practices placed unnecessary financial strain on councils — many of which are already struggling to deliver basic services such as roads and sewage systems, while some have faced salary arrears for years yet still find money to pay allowances for executives and councillors.

Harare Residents Trust Executive Director, Mr Precious Shumba, said the directive is right, as council officials and councillors have developed a penchant for wasting public money by sending bloated delegations to workshops and conferences.

“The ministerial guidelines on local authorities’ participation at the 2026 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair should be viewed in the context of cutting wasteful expenditure,” Mr Shumba said.

“In previous editions, local authorities used residents’ money to pay many councillors and senior managers, regardless of their relevance at the trade fair. It was mostly about facilitating huge allowances, fuel, and hotel accommodation, with little relevance to marketing their local authorities.

“While these guidelines are necessary given the propensity for extravagance by council officials, the Ministry should recognise the differences in the size and status of each local authority — whether city, municipality, town, local board, or rural district council.

“The guideline creates an impression that all local authorities have the same size and status. Some stands require more personnel to man them, while two or three individuals can successfully run their council at the trade fair.”