MAY 2019

NEWSFLASH 1

PG. 2  Citizen Satisfaction Survey  Councillor Induction WELCOME NOTE PG. 3 Welcome to the 1st issue of 2019 under LACEP 2! Keeping up with the Zimbabwe Local Government Associations LACEP 2 will be continuing its work with the following targeted Local Authorities - Lupane Local  ARDCZ Board, Mangwe RDC, Mwenezi RDC, Redcliff Municipality and Zibagwe RDC. This time around we will be jointly implementing the project with the Associations of Local Authorities, the Association PG. 4 of Rural District Councils of Zimbabwe (ARDCZ) and the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ). Keeping up with the Zimbabwe Local Government Associations Here is an overview of what we have been up to for the last couple of months.  UCAZ  Public Finance Special thanks to our Newsletter contributors from the Association of Rural District Councils of Management Workshop for Zimbabwe (ARDCZ) and the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ). LAs PG. 5 Happy Reading!

 Zimbabwe Hosts UCLGA- LACEP Team SARO executive meeting  REFELA meets in Harare

Keep in touch with the LACEP 2 project:

Email: [email protected] Web: virtualcampus.mdpafrica.org.zw/lacep Twitter: LACEP ZW Facebook: Local Authorities Capacity Enhancement Project

CITIZEN SATISFACTION SURVEY

A SNAPSHOT INTO CITIZENS SATISFACTION LEVELS ON THEIR LOCAL AUTHORITY’S CAPABILITIES IN PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT, REVENUE COLLECTION AND THE ABILTY TO QUALITY SERVICE DELIVERY.

Public finance management (PFM) is important to the relations in local decision making. The survey will provide the LAs with great between citizens and the Local Authority (LA). Increasingly, LAs insight on the citizens overall perception of the public finance have been putting in mechanisms to promote public discourse on management function of the LA. budgeting and other key financial information. Transparency is now viewed as a precondition to effective governance and improved LACEP 2 will perform the CSS exercise twice during project economic performance. Further to generating economic benefits, implementation. First to determine a baseline data of citizen’s transparency also functions as a political expression of democratic perception on the LA’s public finance management capabilities and governance by giving citizens the information they are entitled to. their ability to deliver quality service delivery. The data will then be analyzed to produce a report which will inform the programming of the project. The second CSS will measure if there has been an “The fundamental purpose of taxation improvement in citizen’s perception after LACEP 2 intervention. is to raise revenue effectively, efficiently and fairly to finance public goods and services” Tax and Development Aid Modalities for Strengthening Tax Systems-OECD 2012

It is against this background that LACEP 2 undertook a Citizen Satisfaction Survey (CSS) in the targeted LAs (Lupane Local Board, Mangwe RDC, Mwenezi RDC, Redcliff Municipality and Zibagwe RDC). The CSS objectives were three fold; it sought to measure citizen’s perception on LA performance to deliver quality services, to measure the perception of citizens on the LA’s transparency and accountability on public finance management and lastly to measure citizens (especially women’s) perception on the LAs ability to engage

Citizen Satisfaction Survey in Lupane Local Board

COUNCILLOR INDUCTION AND TRAINING

LACEP 2 SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COUNCILLOR INDUCTION PROGRAM IN THE SOUTH WESTERN REGION OF ZIMBABWE

Following the harmonized elections in July 2019, training the newly With support from LACEP 2 and other partners, the Ministry elected Councillors was necessary and a priority for the Ministry of conducted a training of trainer’s workshop ahead of the nationwide Local Government Public Works National Housing (MoLGPWNH). Councillor Induction program. The newly elected Councillors needed to be trained on a number of selected topics essential to them to fulfill their role (e.g. basic training Officers from the 92 LAs in Zimbabwe convened at a 2 day Training on the Local Government system, responsibilities of a Councillor, the of Trainers (ToT) in Bulawayo. The group included representatives Constitution and other Legal Instruments). from the ALAs and from the Ministry including District Administrators and Provincial Administrators. The programme of the workshop was not only limited to a ToT but encompassed a validation component which allowed the trainees to critically examine the entire handbook, so as to ensure that all critical areas were covered.

The ToT was followed by a nationwide Councillor Induction exercise led by the MoLGPWNH with support from various partners including LACEP 2. Further to this, the Project supported the Ministry in the printing of the Councillor Induction Handbook. The Councillor’s induction program has provided a platform for strong and progressive Local Authorities that are alive to their civil and constitutional mandates as well as the wider national development Councillors listening attentively during the induction workshop in Zibagwe RDC agenda envisaged under vision 2030.

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RURAL DISTRICT COUNCILS: COUNCILLORS TURNOVER ANALYSIS

PROVIDING A COUNCILLOR TURNOVERN ANALYSIS FROM In terms of equal representation in the local governance THE 2018 HARMONISED ELECTIONS. sector, there are 195 Rural District Councils Women Councillors translating to 12.5% a decrease from 241 in 2013 elections by 3%. Out of the 60 RDCs Council Chairpersons, 11 are female Council Chairpersons translating to 18.33%. This decrease of women Councillors from 15.4% in 2013 to 12.5% in 2018 leaves a lot desired to reach constitutional expectations of 50/50 representation in local governance and other public offices.

In light of the findings above, the Association is working with Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Development Partners (CLGF & MDP) and other stakeholders in the Local Government Fraternity to roll out The Association of Rural District Councils of Zimbabwe massive Councillors’ capacity building programs considering (ARDCZ) a representative body of all the 60 Rural District that half of the seating Councillors in RDCs are new Councils (RDCs) in Zimbabwe, conducted a survey on RDC Councillors who do not have experience and critical skills to Councillors turnover following the 2018 Harmonized Elections. execute their mandate. A good example is Nkayi RDC where The survey covered all the 60 RDCs with a total of 1564 wards 24 out of 30 Councillors are new. represented by a Councillor. To date Councillors have been inducted by Ministry of Local The Objective of the survey was to assess the overall Government to familiarize with council business and their percentage turnover of Councillors in RDCs to establish the expectations. However more capacity enhancement number of Councillors who retained their seats against new programs will be conducted on various thematic areas as comers. This information is meant to inform the Association’s guided by the Councillors Induction Training Monitoring and capacity building programs based on the needs of new Evaluation Report to be presented by Ministry of Local councillors and also returning Councillors. Government.

The results of the survey indicated that 50 % of Councillors in Further the Association will be stepping up gender RDCs are new Councillors. The most affected Province is mainstreaming programming in RDCs to increase women Mashonaland West province with an average 62% new representation in RDCs towards the desired 50% mark. This Councillors followed by Mashonaland East and Matabeleland will be spearheaded under the Women in Local Government North with 56% and 59% respectively. Forum (WILGF) in collaboration with our development partners MDP and CLGF, Gender Specialist Organizations Mashonaland Central Province has the lowest turnover, with like Gender Links, WIPSU among others. 36% new Councillors, followed by Masvingo and Midlands with 42% and 44% respectively. The remaining provinces The Association will also knock a few doors in the donor Matabeleland South and Manicaland were average with 47% fraternity for financial assistance in rolling out these massive and 48% new Councillors respectively. capacity enhancement programs to cover all the 1564 Councillors in 60 RDCs. In this regard, we are inviting all At District level, the most affected RDC with the highest Donors and CSOs with funding for Councillors Capacity turnover nationally is Nkayi RDC in Matabeleland North enhancement and gender mainstreaming in local authorities Province with 80 % new Councillors where only 6 out of 30 to get in touch with the Association for a coordinated Councillors managed to return their seats. On the other hand, intervention to maximize impact. Runde RDC in Midlands had the highest number of Councillors who retained their seats nationally with 16% being For the cause of Good Governance and Rural Development new Councillors out of a total of 19 Councillors.

URBAN LOCAL AUTHORITIES PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION TOWARDS CYCLONE WORKSHOP

IDAI THE GROWING DEMAND FOR TRANSPARANCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC Urban Local Authorities (LAs), coordinated by the Urban SECTOR’S FINANCIAL RESOURCES IS ENCOURANGING Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ), have come LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO PERFORM BETTER. together to assist with road construction equipment to augment government efforts to rehabilitate road Studies and Research have revealed that most of the areas infrastructure in Chipinge and Chimanimani districts in where Local Authorities (LAs) need to be strengthened Manicaland Province which were hit hard by Cyclone IDAI emanate from governance issues, revenue collection, debt recently. More than 200 people have been confirmed dead, recovery, employment costs and the procurement of goods hundreds are missing and thousands have been left and services. A key component of the Project is to support homeless. LAs in enhancing their financial management systems, improve their revenue generation and implement integrated Urban LAs heeded the call by the Ministry of Local financial management information systems. Government Public Works National Hosing to contribute plant and equipment to beef up equipment from government To assess the status quo of the LAs in Public Finance departments to speed up roads repair work. “We have heeded Management (PFM), Revenue Collection (RC) and Integrated the call and UCAZ remains committed to supporting Financial Information Systems (IFMIS). LACEP 2 in government in mitigating the effects of the destruction of partnership with the Ministry of Local Government Public infrastructure by Cyclone IDAI,” said UCAZ president during Works National Housing and the Associations of Local a media briefing held at the Town House, City of Harare. Authorities undertook a baseline survey in the targeted LAs. This 10-day comprehensive exercise provided the Project as The equipment will be used for the rehabilitation of the well as the Ministry a detailed analysis of the PFM, RC and damaged road infrastructure to enable relief to reach the IFMIS capacity needs of each LA. affected. Some LAs have made available bulldozers, front- end loaders and tipper trucks which were handed over to government through the Ministry.

The following LAs contributed plant and equipment as follows:

 City of Harare: 3 Tipper Trucks  City of Mutare: Bulldozer, Tipper Truck  Rusape Town Council: Tipper Truck  City of Masvingo: Front-end Loader  City of Bulawayo: 2 Tipper Trucks  Chinhoyi Municipality; Bulldozer, Tipper Truck Principal Director Mr. C Shumba contributing to the session

 City of Gweru; Water Bowser, Pneumatic Road Roller Building up from the findings of the baseline survey, LACEP  City of Kwekwe; Tipper Truck 2 brought together about 40 delegates, including representatives from the LA, Ministry of Local Government  Chipinge Town Council; Tipper Truck, Front-end Loader Public Works National Housing, Provincial Administrator and the District Administrator’s office. The 3 day workshop Chipinge Town Council was appointed to oversee the provided a platform to discuss the findings and deliberate on management of equipment. In addition, Council agreed to improvement strategies that can be employed by the LAs. contribute RTGS $300 000 towards fuel and the upkeep of the operators of the equipment. The UCAZ president urged The workshop was facilitated by local and international Councils through the Ministry to adopt the concept of resilient experts from Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Germany. Key cities/ communities. Resilient cities/communities are able to critical areas of support identified during the workshop absorb, recover and prepare for future shocks (environmental, include Auditing, Budgeting, Taxation and Revenue economic, social & institutional). Resilient cities/communities Management, Data Management and Accounting and promote sustainable development, well-being and inclusive Financial Reporting. LACEP 2 with selected Coaches/Experts growth. It is through this concept that, after horrific will provide hands-on and on-the-job support. The experiences of the past weeks, we need to rethink our rural Coaches/Experts will work together with the LAs to provide and urban planning. technical support in the critical areas of support identified during the workshop and baseline survey.

ZIMBABWE HOSTS UNITED CITIES THE NETWORK OF WOMEN AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF ELECTED OFFICIALS OF SUB- AFRICA SOUTHERN REGIONAL NATIONAL AND LOCAL OFFICE (UCLGA-SARO) EXECUTVE GOVERNMENTS OF AFRICA MEETING (REFELA) MEETS IN HARARE

REINTERGRATION OF ZIMBABWE BY THE UMBERELLA BODY REFELA REGROUPS WOMEN MEMBERS OF THE POLITICAL FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN AFRICA, UNITED CITIES AND BOADIES DEALING WITH TH GOVERNANCE OF LOCAL LOCAL GOVERNMNET OF AFRICA (UCLGA) AUTHORITIES AND GOVERNMENTS IN AFRICA

Réseau des Femmes Elues Locales d’Afrique (REFELA) members met during the sidelines of the Southern Africa Regional Office (SARO) meetings in Harare on 16 April, 2019. The Vice President of Africa REFELA Honorable Councillor Katrina Shimbulu who is also the President of the Association of Local Authorities of Namibia (ALAN) informed that REFELA supports the development of Women leadership within African city and subnational governments, as well as the inclusion of the concerns of Women in the definition and implementation of African city and subnational government’s policies and strategies. To that effect, in its triannual action plan for 2019- 2021, REFELA has proposed to launch three campaigns: 1. A campaign on African Cities without street children; 2. A campaign on

African cities to zero tolerance of violence against women’s ; 3. A The reintegration of Zimbabwe by the umbrella body for local campaign on Africa Cities favorable to Women’s economic governments in Africa, United Cities and Local Government of Africa empowerment. (UCLGA) saw several representatives from Local Government Associations across Sub-Saharan Africa converging in Harare for their Executive Committee meeting, which was held from 15 – 16 April, 2019. This meeting follows the United Cities and Local Government of Africa Southern Africa Regional Office (UCLGA- SARO) Annual General Meeting which was held in Windhoek in November 2018, which was attended by a Zimbabwe Local Government Association (ZILGA) delegation with support from LACEP.

In his opening remarks the Vice President of UCLGA-SARO, Rev Mpho Moruakgomo highlighted that Zimbabwe was specifically selected as host for solidarity reasons, after going through a turmoil of events including the just ended Cyclone Idai which devastated parts of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. A word of sympathy was also conveyed to Mozambique through the Mayor of Chimoio Cllr. J. Fereira who is a member of the executive. National Capacity Building seminar for Local Elected Women The Southern Regional Office (SARO) meeting gave an opportunity REFELA regroups women members of the political bodies dealing for Local Government Associations to reflect on challenges and with the governance of local authorities and governments of Africa. opportunities faced by local governments in the sub-region, discuss REFELA was launched in Tangiers, Morocco, in 2011. It is managed issues, make exchanges and support one another. Key issues by an executive Bureau that includes 15 members representing the impacting the sub-region included effects of climate change and five regions of Africa. Zimbabwe was represented by the Mayor of drought in most countries, the convergence of local governments Kwekwe Councillor. Angeline Kasipo, who is the Women in Local should include strategies towards the development of a risk Government Forum (WILGF) Chairperson and observers from Urban reduction framework and clear work plans to meet these challenges, Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) and the Municipal efforts should be made to engage with SADC on these critical issues. Development Partnership (MDP). The meeting ended on a high note, and it was hoped that this would form a beginning for Zimbabwe local governments to re-ignite relations with other associations in sub-saharan Africa.