International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 9, Issue 9, September 2019 785 ISSN 2250-3153 http://dx.doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.9.09.2019.p93105 www.ijsrp.org Decentralising Local Government in Zimbabwe: Prospects and Impediments Jeremiah Bvirindi Cosmas Chikwawawa PhD students, College of Business, Peace, Leadership and Governance, Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe DOI: 10.29322/IJSRP.9.09.2019.p93105 http://dx.doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.9.09.2019.p93105 Abstract - In an effort to ensure democracy, good local governance and citizen participation, chapter 14, section 264 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20) Act 2013 provides for devolution of government powers and responsibilities to provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities. To facilitate devolution, the Constitution organizes government at three levels namely, national, provincial and local. However, contrary to the provisions of section 264 of the constitution the government has not given powers of local governance to the people to enhance their participation in making decisions affecting them. This paper discusses the objectives of the devolution of governmental powers and responsibilities, the prospects of improving good local governance through devolution and impediments to the implementation of devolution. Index Terms: devolution, decentralization, governance, local authority, Zimbabwe. I. INTRODUCTION Section 264 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment provides for devolution of government powers and responsibilities to provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities with a view to promoting good governance and democratic participation of citizens in matters that affect their well-being. In this regard, devolution, if it’s properly implemented could yield significant dividends. However, it is increasing becoming apparent that the implementation of devolution is being impeded by a myriad of challenges, including lack of political will, political polarisation and contestations and delays in aligning a plethora of pieces of local government legislation to the constitution. II. UNPACKING THE KEY CONCEPTS Decentralization is defined by the Centre for Democracy and Governance (2000) and Mapuva (2015) as a process of transferring power to popularly elected local governments. Transferring power means providing local governments with greater political authority, increased financial resources and more administrative responsibilities. Decentralisation is a broad and contested concept. Mapuva (2015) defines it as the transfer of responsibility for planning, management and resource raising and allocation from central government and its agencies to field units of central government ministries or agencies, subordinate units or levels of government, semi-autonomous public authorities, area- wide, regional or functional authorities, or nongovernmental, private or voluntary organizations. He noted that at the heart of decentralisation is the transfer of authority and responsibility for public functions from the central government to provincial units of the same department or other local government units linked to the central office. Muchadenyika (2015) identifies four types of decentralisation,namely,deconcentration, delegation, privatisation and devolution. These will be defined one by one to ensure conceptual clarity in this paper. According to Muchadenyika (2015) deconcentration denotes giving sub- national units within line ministries administrative and managerial responsibility, a practice known as local administration, integrated local administration or field administration. Delegation refers to the transfer of responsibilities by the central government to public enterprises and semi– autonomous government agencies to operate public services and utilities (Muchadenyika, 2015). Privatisation denotes the transfer of functions and responsibilities from government to non-state actors, for example, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private associations and community associations (Muchadenyika, 2015). Muchadenyika (2015) asserts that devolution is a situation where central government transfers executive, legislative, administrative and financial decision-making power to local governments that have distinct and legally recognised jurisdictions in which they provide services to constituents to whom they are accountable. He further submits that the main aim of devolution is to create and strengthen independent layers of government that are authorised to perform clearly defined functions. As such, devolution involves the transfer from central government to local authorities of decision- making powers and attendant resources. .Devolved territories have the power to make legislation relevant to the area (UNECA, 2005). White (2011), cited in Sibanda (2013), posits that devolution is the fullest form of