Authorities In Zimbabwe Research Articles

Five-year Performance Contracts and Service Delivery in Local Authorities in Zimbabwe: The Case of Ruwa

Globally, public sector institutions are struggling to offer public services effectively and efficiently. Zimbabwe has introduced five-year performance contracts in the public sector in order to address challenges bedeviling the public sector institutions. This study sought to analyse the impact of five-year performance contracts on local authorities’ service delivery. The literature reviewed showed that Zimbabwe’s public sector organization have a long-standing history of under performance. Performance contracts were therefore, introduced to rectify performance challenges in the public sector. A qualitative inquiry of a case study indicated that political interference, financial challenges, lack of skills of the employees and lack of commitment of the leaders are among the factors leading to poor implementation of performance contracts. As a way forward research recommends the transformation of the structural mechanisms underlying the implementation of performance contracts, training of employees, reimbursement of local authorities by the central government and inclusion of the lower-level employees in setting of targets. Widespread awareness-raising campaigns of both the need for performance contracts and the benefits of such measures are needed.

Citizens’ perspectives on the form, contributory factors and impacts of white-collar crimes on local authorities in Zimbabwe

Citizens’ perspectives on the form, contributory factors and impacts of white-collar crimes on local authorities in Zimbabwe

Perspectives of human resource practitioners in two urban local authorities in Zimbabwe

Orientation: This study examines the experiences of human resource (HR) practitioners in two urban local authorities (ULAs) in Zimbabwe.Research purpose: The research aimed to understand the human resource management (HRM)-oriented strategies and the extent to which HR practitioners’ experiences could enable effective implementation.Motivation for the study: There is a need to understand the challenges HR practitioners in ULAs in Zimbabwe face in delivering effective HRM.Research approach/design and method: The study adopted a qualitative research approach using semi-structured interviews with 17 purposively selected HR practitioners. Thematic analysis was used to extract themes from the interviews.Main findings: The findings revealed five themes of HRM challenges in Zimbabwean ULAs, including political interference, resource constraints, bureaucracy and the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Human resource management delivery is hindered by stakeholder involvement, performance management gaps, technology gaps and limited interaction with line management. Additionally, traditional HRM approaches committee-focused procedures, and inadequate investment in employee education limit HRM capabilities and procedures.Practical/managerial implications: The study suggests that policymakers and HR practitioners in ULAs in Zimbabwe should pay attention to the identified HRM challenges and proposed solutions to enhance HRM delivery and HR performance. The proposed conceptual model can serve as a guide to overcoming HRM challenges.Contribution/value-add: This study adds to the limited research on public sector HRM in Africa, and stakeholders and HR practitioners can benefit from the conceptual model and recommendations for streamlining HRM procedures in ULAs in Zimbabwe.

Employee Resourcing Strategies in Local Authorities in Zimbabwe: Contestations and Fortuity

Employee Resourcing Strategies in Local Authorities in Zimbabwe: Contestations and Fortuity

LOCAL AUTHORITIES’ PERFORMANCE IN ZIMBABWE-A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

There has been a global uproar recently as local authority service delivery has fallen short of ratepayer expectations, despite the fact that local authority performance, particularly service delivery, is seen as a major motivator of nations towards global sustainability and competitiveness. The current study was therefore founded on the requirement to reduce the gap between ratepayers’ expectations and the performance of the corresponding local authorities in Zimbabwe. For this investigation, we used the search engines Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science (WoS). The review took into account empirical studies up until June 2022. Because the emphasis was on the performance of local governments, the initial search used variants of the terms ‘efficiency,’ ‘performance assessment,’ ‘local government,’ and ‘local authority.’ The databases produced more than 250 books, articles, and unpublished research papers when these keywords were used. We disregarded conference presentations and dissertations to reduce the overall number of results. The results were then qualitatively screened to make sure they answered the research topic. We ultimately collected 78 studies. The review provides a contextualized view of earlier research in discourses, techniques, and frameworks that draw attention to the difficulties local authorities have in performing their functions, with a focus on service delivery and strategic growth toward sustainable futures. As we go on with our empirical inquiry, the systematic review technique has been a helpful organised way to provide a preliminary source of knowledge in local authority performance assessment and more generally. Future research has a number of prospective directions that have been identified.

TITLE DEEDS SURVEY: CASE OF CHEGUTU MUNICIPALITY, ZIMBABWE

The purpose of the survey was to establish whether home owners had title deeds to residential properties that they own. The research was motivated by the observation that in most urban local authorities in Zimbabwe, homeowners are facing challenges in obtaining tenure documents such as title deeds. A survey of four hundred high density houses, two hundred middle density and two hundred low density houses was carried out. Systematic sampling was used to select the target population. A purposive sample was used where two council officials responsible for processing of tenure documents, one town planner, one private developer and an executive of Chegutu Consortium housing cooperative were interviewed. Document analysis was done to compare housing records with findings of the survey. The survey found that 98% of homeowners in old suburbs in Chegutu do not have title deeds to their properties. 76 % of residents in the low density and 100% in the medium density do not have title deeds to their properties. The study recommends that the government compels the surveyor general to carry out an exercise to ensure that all old suburbs are title surveyed. Local Authorities should seriously consider initiating title deeds processing on all paid up properties. Further research can be done on all properties in Chegutu Municipality to verify findings from this survey.

A Critical Analysis of the Performance of Local Governments in Zimbabwe under the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper examines the responses of urban local authorities in Zimbabwe to the COVID-19 pandemic because in the midst of a pandemic, local authorities are rightly positioned to minimise human cost, provide relief to communities and supply day to day service delivery. Specifically this study sought to undertake a critical analysis of the performance of local governments in Zimbabwe under the COVID-19 pandemic. The article reviews available literature and examples are drawn from three urban areas in Zimbabwe. The article notes that COVID-19 exacerbated a crisis that was already playing out in Zimbabwe and reveals that the local authorities were ill-prepared and ill-equipped to handle the pandemic and cannot handle a crisis, endemic or any catastrophic disaster. The paper further delves to looks at the lacklustre performance of urban local authorities and a major finding is that the central government policies have had a huge impact on the decline and free fall of urban local authorities’ service delivery. The key findings may be used to inform ongoing policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and improve future resilience.

Population genetic polymorphisms of pharmacogenes in Zimbabwe, a potential guide for the safe and efficacious use of medicines in people of African ancestry.

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is a clinically significant factor in the safe and efficacious use of medicines. While PGx knowledge is abundant for other populations, there are scarce PGx data on African populations and is little knowledge on drug-gene interactions for medicines used to treat diseases common in Africa. The aim of this study was to use a custom-designed open array to genotype clinically actionable variants in a Zimbabwean population. This study also identified some of the commonly used drugs in Zimbabwe and the associated genes involved in their metabolism. A custom-designed open array that covers 120 genetic variants was used to genotype 522 black Zimbabwean healthy volunteers using TaqMan-based single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping. Data were also accessed from Essential Drugs' List in Zimbabwe (EDLIZ), and the medicines were grouped into the associated biomarker groups based on their metabolism. We also estimated the national drug procurement levels for medicines that could benefit from PGx-guided use based on the data obtained from the national authorities in Zimbabwe. The results demonstrate the applicability of an open-array chip in simultaneously determining multiple genetic variants in an individual, thus significantly reducing cost and time to generate PGx data. There were significantly high frequencies of African-specific variants, such as the CYP2D6*17 and *29 variants and the CYP2B6*18 variant. The data obtained showed that the Zimbabwean population exhibits PGx variations in genes important for the safe and efficacious use of drugs approved by the EDLIZ and are procured at significantly large amounts annually. The study has established a cohort of genotyped healthy volunteers that can be accessed and used in the conduct of clinical pharmacogenetic studies for drugs entering a market of people of predominantly African ancestry. Our study demonstrated the potential benefit of integrating PGx in Zimbabwe for the safe and efficacious use of drugs that are commonly used.

The Potential of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the Pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 11 in Zimbabwe

The international community has recognised cities as important drivers of development and poverty reduction by including SDG 11 in the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Even though the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) do not have any legal force, SDG 11 seeks to make cities and human settlements across the world "inclusive", "safe", "resilient" and "sustainable" by 2030. While cognisant of the interdependence of these qualifiers, this article focusses on the issue of "sustainability" in the light of the view that a city cannot be said to be sustainable unless it is inclusive, safe and resilient. Cities on the path to a sustainable future are expected in terms of SDG 11 to invest in public infrastructure to provide services to local communities in a sustainable manner. Due to limited fiscal space, urban local authorities in Zimbabwe, as elsewhere, would have to harness private sector participation in infrastructure investment through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to transition to a sustainable future.
 This article interrogates the extent to which the constitutional, legislative and policy frameworks in Zimbabwe enable urban local authorities to adopt and implement PPPs in order to achieve their mandate and by extension to realise local sustainability as envisaged in terms of SDG 11. The analysis reveals varied results about the potential of PPPs to contribute towards local sustainability in Zimbabwe. It is further argued that the legal framework underpinning PPPs has some generic features that could enhance their relevance and potential in the pursuit of sustainable cities in Zimbabwe.

The 2014 Tokwe‐Mukorsi floods: Were the civil protection authorities in Zimbabwe prepared for the disaster?

AbstractFlood preparedness involves building capacities that enable minimising losses through effective response and recovery. While there are many preparedness assessments at household and community level, very few have been conducted at institutional level. This study assessed the households' perspectives of the preparedness of civil protection institutions in Zimbabwe during the 2014 Tokwe‐Mukorsi flood disaster and identified the capacity building needs of the civil protection institutions. It used a 5‐point Likert scale to measure six preparedness indicators: emergency plans, early warning systems, evacuation, resources, disaster knowledge, and relocation camp management. Data came from a cross‐sectional survey involving 656 household‐heads who were randomly selected among the affected villagers of Tokwe‐Mukorsi. The findings revealed various gaps in preparedness both at indicator and at variable level. While some indicators showed incipient levels of development in all their variables, others had a combination of low and developed variables. The preparedness elements that critically need immediate attention include the development of emergency plans, evacuation of populations at risk and the prepositioning of resources. However, it is pertinent to mention that civil protection systems in Zimbabwe need to strengthen most of their preparedness elements. As such, this study recommends strengthening preparedness activities in civil protection systems.

The Psychometric Properties of Customer Relationship Management Framework in the Local Government Authorities in Zimbabwe

Although a lot of empirical studies have been conducted on customer-relationship-management (CRM), little research on the exploration of the psychometric properties of CRM scale items, in the Zimbabwean context has been conducted. This empirical study, based on key informant data drawn from sampled local government authorities in Zimbabwe (LGAZ), developed a reliable scale with demonstrated content and convergent validity. Amongst some of the reliable and valid antecedents and consequences of CRM Strategy success the study found; Due diligence, Strategy focus and alignment, Customer focus, Change management, Implementation Strategy, Implementation approach, Metrics, Project management, Process design, Buy-in and adoption to be some of the most important.. Therefore, using the confirmatory factor analysis approach, the research findings offer one more robustness in the applicability of CRM scale items by confirming that CRM city managers use psychometrically valid scale items to generate, disseminate and respond to information with a view to improving CRM performance of LGAZ.

Impediments to effective Councilor oversight at Nkayi Rural District Council in Zimbabwe

The paper seeks to examine and unpack the factors that are militating against councilor oversight at Nkayi Rural District Council. Councilor oversight is a crucial function for promoting and enhancing transparency, accountability, effectiveness and efficiency in Zimbabwean local authorities. Despite the existence of councilor oversight, local authorities in Zimbabwe continue to face operational, regulatory and oversight challenges. To establish the factors militating against effective councilor oversight at Nkayi, the respondents were purposively selected and the research used both primary and secondary data. The study established that low academic qualifications among councilors, councilors terms of office, political affiliation and partisanship and limited timeframes as the key impediments to effective councilor oversight at Nkayi Rural District Council.

Exploring Public Procurement Reforms in Rural Local Authorities in Zimbabwe

It has been noted that prior to the introduction of public procurement reforms, Zimbabwe’s procurement system was centralised, vulnerable to corruption, inefficient and bureaucratic. In 2018, the new decentralized public procurement reforms were introduced to address the shortcomings of the previous procurement regime by giving procurement powers to procuring entities. The aim of this paper is to highlight the implications of the reforms in implementation by rural local authorities in Zimbabwe. This paper adopted a qualitative research design with desktop approach being used to review related literature. The findings reveal that the plethora of reforms are a welcome development in public procurement. It has also been noted that there are many challenges militating against rural local authorities’ propensity to implement the new set of reforms. These challenges affect the ability of rural local authorities to deliver services timeously to communities thereby retarding realization of sustainable development in rural areas in Zimbabwe.

Critical Success Factors in Customer Relationship Management Strategy in the Local Government Authorities in Zimbabwe

The aim of the study was to identify critical success factors in customer relationship management strategy success in the local government authorities in Zimbabwe. A thorough abridgment of the literature was conducted, mainly to understand the nature and structure of local government authorities in Zimbabwe as well as to identify critical success factors in CRM strategy success. A Meta-analysis methodology was employed and explanatory research approach was adopted by means of a survey strategy. 197 questionnaires have been collected from twenty-one local government authorities in Zimbabwe. The findings of the study revealed that all of the ten critical success factors are significant and positively linked to CRM strategy success. Furthermore, the statistical tests show that success and failure of CRM strategy success are highly dependent on four major critical success factors including Implementation Approach, Change Management, Metrics and Implementation Strategy. However, process design and Buy-in Approach and Adoption have low significance impact in CRM strategy success in local government authorities in Zimbabwe. The results of the data analysis led to the creation of a framework which outlines the critical success factors in CRM strategy success in local government authorities in Zimbabwe and the CRM implementation Index which need to be followed before implementing the CRM strategy. This study has clearly indicated that customer relationship management forms a powerful strategy that local government authorities should apply to manage long-term relationships with their key stakeholders.

The Importance of Customer Relationship Management in the Local Government Authorities in Zimbabwe

The aim of the study was to to ascertain the respondent’s familiarity with the knowledge and importance of customer relationship management in the local government authorities, as well as to ascertain the extent of the relationship they have with citizens from acquisition, development, retention and termination of the relationship. Explanatory research approach and judgemental sampling were employed. Questionnaire was used to collect data from twenty one local government authorities in Zimbabwe. The findings of the study revealed that customer relationship management forms a powerful strategy that local government authorities should apply to manage long-term relationships with their key stakeholders. The researchers concluded that the local government authorities should establish and maintain long lasting relationships with their stakeholders, in order to be competitive and attract investment.

Key Factors in Customer Relationship Management Strategy Success in the Local Government Authorities

The aim of the study was to identify critical success factors in customer relationship management strategy success in the local government authorities in Zimbabwe. A thorough abridgment of the literature was conducted, mainly to understand the nature and structure of local government authorities in Zimbabwe as well as to identify critical success factors in CRM strategy success. A Meta-analysis methodology was employed and explanatory research approach was adopted by means of a survey strategy. 197 questionnaires have been collected from twenty one local government authorities in Zimbabwe. The findings of the study revealed that all of the ten critical success factors are significant and positively linked to CRM strategy success. Furthermore, the statistical tests show that success and failure of CRM strategy success are highly dependent on four major critical success factors including Implementation Approach, Change Management, Metrics and Implementation Strategy. However, process design and Buy-in Approach and Adoption have low significance impact in CRM strategy success in local government authorities in Zimbabwe. The results of the data analysis led to the creation of a framework which outlines the critical success factors in CRM strategy success in local government authorities in Zimbabwe and the CRM implementation Index which need to be followed before implementing the CRM strategy. This study has clearly indicated that customer relationship management forms a powerful strategy that local government authorities should apply to manage long-term relationships with their key stakeholders.

The Impact of Professional Competence & Staffing of Internal Audit Function on Transparency and Accountability Case of Zimbabwe Local Authorities

The study aimed at investigating the impact of internal audit function competence & staffing on transparency & accountability in Zimbabwe local authorities. The study adopted professional competence & staffing as the independent variable and transparency & accountability as the dependent variable. Survey data was obtained from management and internal audit personnel from local authorities in Zimbabwe using semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. Questionnaire responses were obtained from 182 respondents. Two focus group discussions were held separately with 13 senior managers and 8 Chief Audit Executives from local authorities in Zimbabwe. Regression and multivariate analysis were used to test the hypothesis that internal audit function professional competence & staffing is positively associated with transparency & accountability in Zimbabwe local authorities. The study established that there is a significant positive relationship between internal audit function competency dimensions of qualification, experience and training and transparency & accountability in Zimbabwe local authorities. The study reveals the need to improve and uphold internal audit function competency through creation of an enabling environment to support internal audit functions and guarantee their effectiveness in upholding corporate governance practices. The study recommends the establishment of a centralized Local Government Internal Audit Agency under the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, responsible for coordinating, supervising, monitoring and reviewing local authorities internal audit functions as a stride towards improving public finance management systems and corporate governance practices within the country’s public sector. Keywords: Professional Competence & Staffing, Internal Audit Function, Transparency & Accountability DOI : 10.7176/RJFA/10-8-15 Publication date : April 30 th 2019

The Impact of Independence of Internal Audit Function on Transparency and Accountability Case of Zimbabwe Local Authorities

The study aimed at examining the impact of Internal Audit Function independence on Transparency & Accountability. The study adopted independence as the independent variable and transparency & accountability as the dependent variable, measured by management perception, organization policy, auditees’ cooperation and risk exposure of the organization. Survey data was collected from local authorities in Zimbabwe using semi structured questionnaires. Correlation and regression analysis were used to test the hypothesis that the existence of an independent internal audit function in an organization is positively associated with transparency and accountability. Study findings revealed that the existence of an independent internal audit function in an organization is positively associated with transparency and accountability. The findings concur with results from previous studies which concluded that an independent internal audit function plays a monitoring role, therefore contributing towards promoting good corporate governance practices, supporting the applicability of the Agency Theory and the Theory of Inspired Confidence in internal audit research Keywords: Internal Audit Function, Independence, Transparency & Accountability DOI : 10.7176/RJFA/10-5-06 Publication date :March 31 st 2019

The Impact of Ethics & Objectivity of Internal Audit Personnel on Transparency & Accountability Case of Zimbabwe Local Authorities

The study aimed at examining the impact of Ethics & Objectivity of Internal Audit Function on transparency and accountability. The study adopted ethics & objectivity (as determined by internal auditors’ personal needs strength and enhanced by the Chief Audit Executive’s leadership style), as the independent variable and transparency & accountability as the dependent variable. The effect of internal audit function on transparency & accountability was assessed through management perception, organization policy, auditees’ cooperation and risk exposure of the organization. Survey data was obtained from a sample of 182 internal audit and management personnel from local authorities in Zimbabwe using semi-structured questionnaires. Correlation and regression analysis were used to test the hypothesis that internal audit function ethics & objectivity is positively associated with transparency and accountability. Study findings reveal that internal audit function ethics & objectivity is positively associated with transparency & accountability. The study established the need to improve operational paradigms guiding internal audit in Zimbabwe local authorities so as to empower internal audit functions and ensure they judiciously act in the best interest of the public, especially in circumstances where the general ethical conduct of their respective local authorities is defective and against public interest. Keywords: Ethics &Objectivity, Internal Audit Function, Transparency & Accountability DOI : 10.7176/EJBM/11-7-09 Publication date :March 31 st 2019

The Impact of Organisational Culture on Public Sector Performance: A Case Study of Local Authorities in Zimbabwe

Local Authorities play an important role in the national development of any country as they are the vehicle for basic municipal service delivery. They are the interface of government and its citizenry at the local level meaning that local authorities represent government in action. As such, the same are expected to proffer sustainable services in the right amount and at the right time. Local authorities therefore provide the backbone for a country’s socio-economic development. However, the recent history of the local authority sector suggests that Councils have fallen way behind in terms of delivering on their mandate due a number of factors. The Ministry responsible for Local Government in Zimbabwe notes that the peak year where councils were optimally functional was 1996 and this is the level that has been benchmarked. In the main, it may be noted, that Councils in Zimbabwe rank among the most liquid organisations; their revenues are guaranteed in the Constitution and in some way in the relevant Acts of Parliament. As such, it is within the rights of the public to expect local authorities to offer more than they have done since the turn of the millennium. It may be argued that the set-up of Local Authorities in Zimbabwe is not aligned to the objective of delivering optimal services to communities with the same not responding to the demands of the people as well the operating environment. To significantly alter this negative spiral of performance, it is imperative that Local Authorities deal decisively with issues surrounding organisational culture in order to focus members (councillors and employees), policies and processes towards the achievement of both local and national goals and priorities. This study reviews several literature already proffered on the subject matter in conjunction with primary research with a view to add to the body of knowledge in the area of study.