ZIMBABWE＇S NEW CONSTITUTION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT： IMPLICATIONS FOR CENTRALLOCAL RELATIONS

The process of political and administrative decentralization in Zimbabwe with a view to creating autonomous local governance expended much rhetoric. Current local government problems arise from the structure and nature of centre-local relations. Local governments＇ capacity has been severely affected by conflict, political interference, ＂bankruptcy decentralization＂ （without transfer of resources, competencies and decision making authority to local level）, corruption, low citizen participation and lack of accountability. This background necessitates the need to redefine and change centre-local relations. This article advocates for redefining centre-local relations to embrace the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment （No. 20） Act, 2013 which provides for devolution of powers and functions to local government. A brief local government history of Zimbabwe introduces the treatise followed from a conceptual perspective on local governance and centre-local relations. The conceptual framework provides the rationale for a devolved, strong local government based on pillars of efficiency, accountability, manageability, and autonomy. Drawing from the changing landscape of central-local government relations since the onset of the Zimbabwean crisis in 2000, the paper responds to the following question： What changes need to be made at both local and central government level so that the former operates autonomously？ The envisaged reforms are targeted at planning, budgeting, human resources and expenditure and service functions which are the fulcrum of the local government system.

ZIMBABWE＇S NEW CONSTITUTION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT： IMPLICATIONS FOR CENTRALLOCAL RELATIONS