PAYMENT OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES FOR SERVICES NOT RENDERED
44 HON. MAKUMIRE asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to inform the House on the Government’s position regarding the payment of local authority service charges for services that have not yet been rendered.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. KABIKIRA): Mr. Speaker Sir, the Constitution of Zimbabwe, Urban Councils Act and the Rural District Councils Act provide for the functions of local authorities which in general revolves around the provision of efficient and effective municipal services to residents and ratepayers. In the same vein, residents are also mandated to pay in order to finance the provision of public goods and services. However, the Hon. Member’s question is not clear on which services are being paid for and not provided given that intermittent supply does not imply non-provision.
However, in order to circumvent such scenarios as supposed by the Hon. Member, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has managed to set up Minimum Service Delivery Standards for all local authorities in all service delivery categories. In addition, the Government also created an Inspectorate Department that will be responsible for monitoring service provision in local authorities. The performance of local authorities from now on will be measured using Minimum Service Delivery Standards Performance Assessment System and inspected by the Inspectorate Department.
