Abstract

Kenenisa Tulu Dibaba

The paper discusses issues of democracy and good governance in Zimbabwe’s urban areas. The point of departure is that there is too much interference from central government through the Ministry of Local Government in local affairs. This interference has caused dispute and conflicts between the centre and local institutions. The conflicts have resulted in dysfunctioning of urban councils. The data were collected through documentary reviews. It was concluded that the Minister of Local Government was interfering in urban councils through some of these methods: dismissals of councilors and mayors, appointing councilors of special interest, appointments of governors and District Administrators, opposing urban councils’ decisions and supporting mafia/gangs to sabotage specific projects initiated by opposition councilors and mayors. The major argument presented as solution was the change of the current Urban Councils Act so that the powers of the Minister are reduced.