Journal of Urban Systems and Innovations for Resilience in Zimbabwe -JUSIRZ

Devolution and Public Service Delivery: Evidence from Masvingo City, Zimbabwe

BEATRICE HICKONICKO — 2024-10-23

Devolution in Zimbabwe has always been a contested subject. Devolution is the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the
central government to subnational authorities. Its objective is to give powers of local governance to the people and enhance participation in making decisions thus improving service delivery. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of devolution on public service delivery in Masvingo. Despite it being constitutionalised, devolution still appears to be on paper rather than practical, hence the investigation to assess whether there has been any improvement in terms of service delivery. The study adopted a mixed methods research approach and used purposive sampling. Data were collected using interviews and questionnaires. Thematic data analysis was used in the study. The main findings of the study indicate that devolution can improve service delivery by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of operations by minimizing bureaucracy. The study highlighted that the devolution funds led to improved service delivery. The council has constructed schools, bought motorised graders and drilled solar-powered boreholes to improve water supply amongst other devolution-funded projects. However, results indicate that there is still a lack of proper citizen participation to ensure meaningful development. The study recommends that there be improved transparency and accountability to coordinate and support the implementation of devolution-funded projects that improve service delivery.

Innovation Hubs and Research Centres for Modernisation by Universities and the Devolution Agenda in Zimbabwe

INNOCENT CHIRISA — 2023-07-31

Zimbabwe's academic institutions are at a vital juncture, with an increasing acknowledgment of the value of science and its application
in society, and associated attempts to strengthen scientific, technological, and innovation initiatives on the continent. Tertiary
institutions should be the nerve centres of the push to expedite modernisation and industrialisation by developing inventions and
answers to economic difficulties. Under the devolution agenda, universities in Zimbabwe are concentrating on modernisation and
using innovation centres and industrial parks to develop goods and services that influence all economic sectors. The Zimbabwean
government has established numerous organisations to hasten the development of institutions' roles in the devolution agenda. For
methodology, the study engaged qualitative research methods drawing literature from books, journal articles, statutes, the
constitution, and other publications. For data analysis, the study engaged in textual analysis. Africa's contribution to research and
development (R&D) was 1.3% in 2015, compared to its around 5% share of the world gross domestic product (GDP). Despite this poor
performance, rigorous study on the function of innovation hubs and research centres within the framework of the larger innovation
system and sustainable development in Africa, particularly Zimbabwe has been limited. It is concluded that science, technology, and
innovation are important catalysts to realise a high quality of life for people. As such, the setting up of innovation hubs and research
centres in institutions of higher learning is key in this respect. The government should create policy guidelines and guides to help with
devolution implementation.

The Political Economy of Devolution and Post-2013 Service Delivery in Urban Zimbabwe

MARGARET MAREWO — 2023-07-31

Advocates of devolution make much of its supposed urban services delivery ‘dividends,’ a stance that is often narrowly founded but
untroubled. Critics of this argument, while acknowledging the potential benefits, suggest that attention to the political economy
under which devolution operates is crucial. Precisely, the political economy critique is that urban service delivery outcomes are
contingent on the political economy context. Zimbabwe's devolution and decentralisation policy identifies improved service delivery in
urban settlements as one of its objectives, but this has not been testified by realities on the ground post-2013 Constitution. The article applies a political economy framework to understanding the dynamics of devolution in Zimbabwe. Using literature and
government documents review, as well as key informant interviews; the political economy of contemporary Zimbabwe devolution, as well as urban services delivery outcomes, are analysed in this article. Our findings indicate that politics, misallocation of economic resources, graft and corruption have largely conspired to stunt urban councils’ ability to deliver services. Devolution has been characterised by the control of resources and decision making by the central government that has often usurped urban councils’ role in service delivery. The article recommends needed political and public sector reforms for improvement in service delivery in urban Zimbabwe, as part and parcel of a redesign of the devolution model in use.

Devolution, Neighbourhood Form and Structure and Transformations in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, 2018-2021

LINDA MAGWARO-NDIWEN — 2023-07-31

With the government of Zimbabwe channelling devolution funds through the Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, the
paper challenges this channel towards ‘Si Ye Pambili’ the city’s motto, which is translated as ‘Let us go Forward’. The question is
who is being taken where, by whom, and how is it going to happen and when. Zimbabwe has selected devolution as the mechanism
through which it will achieve decentralisation. The article seeks to understand the Zimbabwe National Devolution and Decentralisation
Policy by analysing it in the context of the local government amendment bill and the Constitution of Zimbabwe. In the contexts
of neighbourhood organisation structures, neighbourhood management and neighbourhood fiscal resource allocation and
neighbourhood information access. The growth of Bulawayo City has been largely unsuccessful, the decision-making process has been
met with fluctuations in funding and questionable levels of support from central government and the communities. Devolution is,
therefore, an important opportunity to re-examine how the devolution of powers and decision making to neighbourhoods,
through the community sector, could be achieved. Using a lucid review of literature, informed by theories, and qualitative research
approaches, the paper discusses issues of mechanisms for neighbourhood governance. The article concludes by saying that,
although new mechanisms for neighbourhood governance would be required, they would have to vary according to geography and local requirements going beyond consultation processes.

Devolving Disaster Risk Management in Zimbabwe: Review of the Human Rights Based Approach

KWASHIRAI ZVOKUOMBA — 2023-07-31

The article interrogates and unpacks contemporary disaster risk management configurations framed within the devolution approach
in Zimbabwe. While it is not a new phenomenon the world over, devolving disaster risk management in Zimbabwe is in its infancy,
hence, the scholarly review. Evidence and experiences gleaned through the literature review show that where effective disaster risk
management is transferred to the local communities in terms of decision-making, disaster preparedness, and resilience are
strengthened. The study deploys narrative inquiry within the qualitative research design which is best attuned for data generation
in post-disaster environments and theoretically is guided by the pragmatic human-rights-based approach. The narratives were
extracted from 15 research participants as well as key informants and established that the Zimbabwean system of disaster risk management has several facets that represent the failure and short-comings in being a completely devolved disaster risk management system, hence, the loss of human life, property and livelihoods. The experiences of cyclone Idai in Chimanimani District represents a systemic failure to protect and promote the rights of ordinary citizens in disaster-prone communities. The study argues that when disaster risk reduction activities are within the powers and authority of the local people, stronger communities are built and disaster preparedness is heightened, hence, the magnitude of disasters upon humanity is lowered which is the promotion of human rights at the grassroots level. The study recommends that responsibilities to manage disasters be transferred from a central authority to grass root institutions to experience realistic devolved disaster risk management.

Organisation of Urban Communities for Devolution in Zimbabwe

NYASHA NDEMO — 2023-07-31

With Section 264 of the Constitution, Zimbabwe has included the new phenomenon of devolution in the running affairs of urban
communities. This is a result of the desire for participatory governance to disperse power. The local government system in
Zimbabwe has a troubled history that has inhibited citizens from participating in public affairs because it has been fashioned through
time by several laws that have not fostered an environment that encourages citizen involvement. An analysis of Section 264 of the
Zimbabwean Constitution shows that devolution tends to promote openness, efficiency, and effectiveness as well as the transfer of
obligations from the central government to provincial and municipal levels. It is believed that the progress in local government
accountability, effectiveness, and service delivery has been slowed down by the delayed implementation of devolution. This article's
goal is to evaluate the Constitution's Section 264 provisions and how putting those into practice can improve municipal government.

The Intersection Between Local Economic Development and Devolution: Some Insights for Urban Resilience Building in Zimbabwe

EDSON CHAGWEDERA — 2023-07-31

Devolution is emphasised as a crucial policy for local economic development in the national development roadmap of the
Zimbabwean government, which addresses local inequities and is required to reduce poverty in society. The study engages a desk
review to explore the relationship between the two concepts. The study makes the case that if fundamentals such as effective political
systems, accountability mechanisms, regulatory framework on intergovernmental relations, and capacity building are in place,
devolution may be able to yield the desired positive results of resilient local economic development. However, for the successful
implementation of devolution to achieve local economic development, the article recommends that policy makers, in an effort
of easing the transition from a unitary to a devolved government system, must appreciate that institutional, political, financial, and
legislative measures are complementary and mutually reinforcing.