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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Decentralization and District Development Planning in Zimbabwe
Author:Mutizwa-Mangiza, N.D.ISNI
Year:1990
Periodical:Public Administration and Development
Volume:10
Issue:4
Period:October-December
Pages:423-435
Language:English
Geographic term:Zimbabwe
Subjects:decentralization
local government reform
Development and Technology
Politics and Government
External link:https://doi.org/10.1002/pad.4230100406
Abstract:One of the most important dimensions of rural development policy in Zimbabwe since independence has been rural local government reform, in particular decentralization. Evidence from a number of recent studies is used to present a review of Zimbabwe's experience of local government decentralization during the first eight years of independence, 1980 to 1988. Section 2 presents an outline of some basic concepts of decentralization. Section 3 contains an account of the local government system inherited from the colonial era. Section 4 outlines the major postindependence reforms, i.e. the 1980 District Councils Act, the 1984-1985 Prime Minister's Directive on Decentralization, the 1985 Provincial Councils and Administration Act, and the 1988 Rural District Councils Act. Section 5 presents an assessment of these reforms, paying particular attention to organizational, financial, and planning issues. While some important improvements have been achieved in rural Communal Areas, the system of local government and administration remains a dual one. Other problems include the gap between the planning and budgeting processes, continued financial dependence of district councils on the central government, and a lack of serious effort by the central government to make use of provincial and district development plans. Bibliogr.
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