In 2013 Zimbabweans, in passing the new constitution through a referendum, expressed their desire to participate in how they are governed and to hold agencies entrusted with such responsibility accountable. Chapter 14 of the constitution explicitly demonstrated the desire for local government reform in Zimbabwe by its citizens. The ideology of devolution is largely premised on the belief that sharing responsibilities between central and provincial or local governments would ultimately lead to socio-economic development and the betterment of public service delivery. More so it is regarded critical in fostering citizen participation in the formulation and implementation of development plans.
Since independence, central government has been the key driver of development processes in Zimbabwe whilst provincial and local government played a peripheral role. The results of having central government as the main development player have been disheartening, largely characterised by high unemployment levels, poor public service delivery, poverty, dilapidated infrastructure and corruption in government corridors.
The sharp decline in effective delivery of services continues to affect citizens’ access to their socio-economic rights. Current dissatisfaction with service delivery in areas of health, education, water and sanitation amongst many others is evidence of the above mentioned poor performance of government in provision of social services. Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI) survey results (2014) point to the fact that Harare and Bulawayo Metropolitan provinces face serious challenges in terms of access to clean water services.
