Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe has given struggling local authorities 14 days to submit detailed turnaround plans to improve service delivery and address persistent governance challenges.
Garwe issued the directive on Friday during a meeting in Harare attended by mayors, chief executive officers and town clerks from underperforming councils.
The meeting sought to assess the causes of poor performance and identify practical solutions to improve the delivery of services to residents.
Garwe said each turnaround strategy must clearly outline the challenges facing the local authority, proposed corrective measures and areas where support from the ministry may be needed.
According to the minister, the exercise is intended to expose institutional weaknesses, address performance gaps and create a roadmap for long-term improvement.
He also raised concerns over governance problems affecting some councils, including illegal land allocation schemes, commonly referred to as “Sabhuku deals”, and the activities of land barons.
Garwe said such practices undermine good governance, disrupt orderly urban planning and hamper effective service delivery.
He urged councils to tighten corporate governance systems, strengthen financial management and improve revenue collection so they can generate sufficient resources to fund infrastructure projects and essential public services.
The minister said enhancing revenue generation remains key to the sustainability of local authorities and their ability to meet the expectations of residents.
He added that the turnaround plans should help councils identify growth opportunities, improve operational efficiency and rebuild public confidence in local government institutions.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works Albert Tawanda Mavunga, Permanent Secretary John Basera, senior ministry officials and representatives from the affected local authorities.
Speaking after the meeting, Garwe said the local authorities of Harare, Bulawayo and Chitungwiza were effectively in the “intensive care unit” when it came to service delivery.
“Harare, Bulawayo, and Chitungwiza are in the intensive care unit. And you know what happens when you are in the intensive care unit: either you get out for survival or you go,” said Garwe.
“And I’m talking ‘go’—not the city itself going, but the leadership in the city. They are in the intensive care unit because it’s more about negligence than anything that we are witnessing.
“Whether in Bulawayo, whether in Harare, negligence and people who are playful, who do not focus on delivery.”
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