constituteproject.org PDF generated: 26 Sep 2013, 21:48 CHAPTER 14 PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PREAMBLE Whereas it is desirable to ensure: (a) the preservation of national unity in Zimbabwe and the prevention of all forms of disunity and secessionism; (b) the democratic participation in government by all citizens and communities of Zimbabwe; and (c) the equitable allocation of national resources and the participation of local communities in the determination of development priorities within their areas; there must be devolution of power and responsibilities to lower tiers of government in Zimbabwe. PART 1 PRELIMINARY 264 Devolution of governmental powers and responsibilities (1) Whenever appropriate, governmental powers and responsibilities must be devolved to provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities which are competent to carry out those responsibilities efficiently and effectively. (2) The objectives of the devolution of governmental powers and responsibilities to provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities are-(a) to give powers of local governance to the people and enhance their participation in the exercise of the powers of the State and in making decisions affecting them; (b) to promote democratic, effective, transparent, accountable and coherent government in Zimbabwe as a whole; (c) to preserve and foster the peace, national unity and indivisibility of Zimbabwe; (d) to recognise the right of communities to manage their own affairs and to further their development; (e) to ensure the equitable sharing of local and national resources; and (f) to transfer responsibilities and resources from the national government in order to establish a sound financial base for each provincial and metropolitan council and local authority. 265 General principles of provincial and local government (1) Provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities must, within their spheres-(a) ensure good governance by being effective, transparent, accountable and institutionally coherent; (b) assume only those functions conferred on them by this Constitution or an Act of Parliament; (c) exercise their functions in a manner that does not encroach on the geographical, functional or institutional integrity of another tier of government; (d) co-operate with one another, in particular by-(i) informing one another of, and consulting one another on, matters of common interest; (ii) harmonising and co-ordinating their activities; (e) preserve the peace, national unity and indivisibility of Zimbabwe; Zimbabwe 2013 Page 111