Local authorities were rated as the weakest performers in the 2025 government contracts
- Southerton Business Times
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
HARARE — Zimbabwe’s local authorities have been identified as the worst‑performing sector in the government’s 2025 performance contracts, weighed down by structural and operational challenges that continue to undermine service delivery. The findings were announced Monday as part of the annual performance review system introduced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2021 to strengthen accountability and assess the effectiveness of senior public officials.
Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya said overall government performance had improved, but local authorities remained the weakest link.
Urban councils: Only 22% of mayors and council chairpersons met their targets, while 68% fell below target but within variance. Ten percent performed below both benchmarks. Average rating: 3.44, up from 3.31 in 2024.
Rural councils: 23% met targets, 74% fell below target but within variance, and 3% fell below both benchmarks. Average rating: 3.66, slightly down from 3.74 in 2024.
Town clerks/CEOs: 22% met targets, 70% fell below target but within variance, and 8% fell below both thresholds.
Rural district council chairpersons: 28% met targets, 63% fell below target but within variance, and 9% fell short of both measures.
The evaluation highlighted systemic problems:
Poor revenue collection and widespread non‑payment of rates.
Non‑revenue water losses are estimated at 45%.
Ageing water and sewer infrastructure.
Shortages of equipment and machinery.
President Mnangagwa said the performance contracts system was designed to enhance accountability and improve service delivery.
“The 2026 Performance Contracts represent a key milestone in our public administration and governance journey. It reflects our unwavering commitment and resilience in delivering public services efficiently as we march forward towards the realisation of Vision 2030,” he said.
Analysts argue that despite marginal improvements across sectors, the continued underperformance of local authorities underscores the need for deeper reforms to address inefficiencies at the grassroots level.
Zimbabwe local authorities performance 2025
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