Provincial Councils: Here is why there have been delays
Local Government Deputy Minister Marian Chombo has revealed reasons behind the delays in operationalizing the provincial councils that are supposed to have been constituted in 2018.
The constitution established provincial councils that are supposed to be constituted in line with the devolution agenda.
However, in as much as people who are supposed to compose the councils are there and are receiving salaries, the government has not yet put in place laws that govern their operations.
Political commentators believe that the delays in coming up with the laws is meant to frustrate the opposition MDC Alliance which was going to get a sizeable number of seats, especially for Harare and Bulawayo Provinces.
Answering a question from Senator Morgen Komichi who wanted to know if the positions of provincial councillors are still relevant given that their terms is almost coming to end, Chombo apologized for the delays.
She was it is being caused by understaffing in the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs.
‘’Thank you, Mr. President, I want to thank Honourable Senator Komichi for that important question. We have since finished everything and the Bill is at the Attorney-General’s Office.
‘’The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs told us that their office was overwhelmed by work because they have a huge backlog, but he told us that they have been given permission to increase their staff complement in order to expedite such Bills.
‘’I cannot tell you when exactly we can expect that Bill, but we expect it to come sooner. I would like to ask for forgiveness because the Bill is overdue. ‘’We have tried to ensure that those who have been elected get their dues in order for them to survive and that they are able to do their work,’’ she said.
Provincial Councils: Here is why there have been delays
