Zimbabwe Bans Foreign Travel for Councils Owing Workers

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare

The Government has banned foreign travel, out-of-town workshops and the purchase of luxury vehicles for local authorities that owe workers salaries, in a move aimed at prioritising employee welfare and restoring financial discipline in struggling councils.

The restrictions are contained in Local Authorities Circular Number 9 of 2026, dated 20 October and issued by the Permanent Secretary for Local Government and Public Works, Tafadzwa Muguti.

Muguti said the ministry was concerned that some local authorities had accumulated salary arrears stretching over several months, alongside outstanding statutory obligations. “This situation is unacceptable, as it adversely affects the welfare and livelihoods of employees, undermines staff morale, compromises productivity, and ultimately impairs capacity to deliver essential services,” he said. The measures take immediate effect and apply to councils with outstanding salary arrears.

Foreign Travel Suspended Until Salaries Are Paid

Under the circular, town clerks, town secretaries and chief executive officers have been directed not to undertake foreign trips while their local authorities owe workers salaries. The ministry will not consider travel requests from affected councils until the arrears have been cleared.

Councils in arrears are also prohibited from holding workshops, retreats and conferences outside their jurisdictions. Where such activities are necessary, they must be conducted within the local authority’s own area. The restrictions are intended to prevent councils from spending scarce resources on travel and events while employees remain unpaid.

Luxury Vehicle Purchases Restricted

The circular also prohibits councils with salary arrears from purchasing vehicles for the personal use of senior managers or providing vehicles as a condition of service until all salary arrears and outstanding statutory debts have been settled.

However, the Government has made an exception for vehicles and equipment required for essential service delivery. Councils may still acquire items such as refuse trucks, ambulances and water bowsers, provided the purchases are justified, budgeted for and do not compromise salary payments. The distinction allows local authorities to continue investing in essential public services while curbing expenditure considered non-essential during periods of financial distress.

Councils Ordered to Prepare Recovery Plans

Muguti directed indebted local authorities to prepare time-bound Financial Recovery Plans outlining their total liabilities and measures to settle outstanding debts. The plans must detail strategies for improving revenue collection, controlling expenditure and clearing arrears.

Affected councils are also required to submit reports to the ministry and provide regular updates on their progress. Muguti said town clerks and chief executive officers must exercise firm financial discipline and place workers’ welfare ahead of non-essential travel and personal benefits. “The Ministry will monitor compliance and may take appropriate administrative measures within its statutory mandate against those who fail to comply,” he said.

Focus on Workers and Service Delivery

The restrictions come amid concerns about the ability of financially strained local authorities to meet their obligations to employees while maintaining essential services. Salary arrears can affect workers’ livelihoods and morale, while poor financial management may further undermine the delivery of services such as refuse collection, water provision and emergency response.

The ministry’s directive seeks to compel councils to address outstanding obligations before committing public funds to discretionary expenditure. The circular does not mean that all spending by indebted councils has been suspended. Essential service-related purchases remain permitted, subject to justification, budgeting and protection of salary payments.

The effectiveness of the measures will depend on compliance by local authorities, the implementation of credible recovery plans and the ministry’s monitoring and enforcement of the new requirements.

 Zimbabwe councils salary arrears