Parliament committee pushes for governance overhaul in Hwange concession area
Matebeleland Pulse Reporter
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has recommended that Government move to incorporate the Hwange Concession Area into the Hwange Local Board, saying the current dual administration system has created governance challenges and hindered development.
The recommendations were tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday following a petition by residents Tinashe Matika and Nkosikhona Sibanda. Debate on the report was later adjourned, meaning Parliament is yet to adopt the recommendations.
In its report, the committee found that the concession areas are administered by Hwange Rural District Council but are politically represented by councillors sitting under the Hwange Local Board.
It concluded that this arrangement “has limited the residents’ participation in local decision-making, restricted access to essential services and hindered infrastructure development.”
The committee therefore recommended that incorporating the concession areas into the Hwange Local Board would provide “unified governance, enhanced service delivery, orderly urban planning and improved overall quality of life for residents.”
The report also describes Hwange as “a prime urban area with all the hallmarks to be accorded a municipality status in the shortest period of time.”
During debate, legislators from across the House endorsed the committee’s findings.
Hon. Nyakuedzwa said residents deserved better services and development opportunities.
“The residents of the Concession area are Zimbabwean citizens who contribute to the economy through their labour, entrepreneurship and tax payments. Like all citizens, they aspire to live in communities with adequate housing, reliable water supply, proper sanitation, modern infrastructure and access to development opportunities.”
He added that resolving the governance arrangements “has the potential to improve access to development funding, strengthen service delivery planning and enhance coordination of infrastructure investments.”
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Makumire urged Government to speed up implementation.
“This issue requires that the stakeholders involved, led by the Ministry of Local Government must hasten to finalise the issue of incorporating the concession areas into the Hwange Local Board.”
He also supported “the recommendation that the process of incorporating the concession areas into the Hwange Local Board must be fast-tracked,” saying this would bring relief to the Local Board, which is currently bearing governance costs linked to councillors representing the concession area.
The committee also stressed that any incorporation process must respect the constitutional property rights of Hwange Colliery Company Limited and be accompanied by a transparent framework for asset valuation, compensation and service continuity.
Parliament adjourned debate on the report to a later sitting, meaning the committee’s proposals remain recommendations awaiting further consideration by the National Assembly.
