By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
THE Government has, in a sweeping directive aimed at cutting unnecessary costs, ordered all 92 local authorities to suspend council workshops, restrict foreign travel, and regulate the use of pool vehicles.
The move is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability and ensure that local government funds are directed toward improving essential services such as water, waste management, and roads.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe outlined the new measures in a circular addressed to all mayors and council chairpersons.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, cognisant of its oversight responsibility on local authorities, has developed expenditure containment measures for local authorities, in conformity with Treasury’s broader expenditure rationalisation agenda,” reads the directive.
Garwe said the directive aligns with the Treasury’s broader expenditure rationalisation drive, which seeks to eliminate wasteful spending across all tiers of government.
According to the new order, all council workshops have been suspended with immediate effect.
Only sessions directly linked to the review or formulation of strategic plans and budgets will be allowed and these must take place strictly within each council’s jurisdiction.
For foreign travel, only trips fully funded by the host or inviting institution will be approved.
Officials must also submit a detailed post-mission report to the Ministry within seven working days of their return.
The circular further directs local authorities to tighten control over pool vehicles.
Councils have been warned against unauthorised or non-essential use of government vehicles and must now establish internal monitoring systems to ensure compliance.
Minister Garwe reminded councils that their primary responsibility remains the delivery of basic services to residents.
He emphasised that going forward, performance evaluations would be based on the newly introduced Minimum Service Delivery Standards.
“The central thrust of your mandate is the provision of core services to communities. To this end, all planning, budgeting, and implementation efforts must be aligned with the Minimum Service Delivery Standards, which shall serve as the benchmark for performance assessment going forward,” said Garwe.
By enforcing tighter financial controls, authorities hope to curb unnecessary spending and improve efficiency across municipalities.