COUNCILLORS' FOREIGN TRIPS CAPPED

Foreign trips for councillors and council officials have been capped at three per year, among a cocktail of measures introduced by the Government aimed at preventing the misuse of public resources within local authorities.

This comes as the Government announced a comprehensive package of allowances and benefits for local authority officials aimed at enhancing working conditions.

In a circular dated 17 July 2025 and addressed to all local authorities, the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, announced a raft of measures, including caps on foreign travel, tighter oversight on workshops and training and the removal of exit packages for councillors.

“All councillors and officials travelling outside Zimbabwe on official trips must be granted Cabinet Authority before departure,” said Minister Garwe.

“Foreign trips will not exceed three (3) trips per year. Under no circumstances may a councillor or official travel without such permission.”

Applications for such travel must be submitted in writing to the Permanent Secretary at least 14 days before the date of departure and must include full justification and associated costs.

Residents have long raised concerns over unnecessary foreign travel by local authorities, which they say diverts resources from service delivery.

Minister Garwe also reiterated restrictions on the hosting of workshops, seminars, training sessions and “look and learn” visits.

For urban councils, such events must take place within their jurisdiction, while rural district councils are confined to their administrative districts — unless prior written approval is granted.

“Any council wishing to hold a function outside the limits given should make a submission to the Permanent Secretary in writing, requesting authority,” he said.

Some local authorities have been holding such engagements outside of their provinces, an issue seen as draining resources by residents.

To improve mobility and enhance service delivery, councils may apply for permission to offer councillors motorbike loans valued at no more than US$2 000 per bike, with strict justifications required.

“If a council wishes, councillors are to be availed with a 5-year motorbike loan facility,” said Minister Garwe.

“The application to purchase motorbikes can only done to the Minister and must contain justification for the purchase, the budget line and amount budgeted for the same, the type of equipment and justification, the cost and the conditions attached to the use of the equipment. Councils wishing to utilise this facility are to purchase motorbikes not exceeding the value of USD$2 000.”

Councillors will receive structured monthly allowances, with mayors and council chairpersons earning US$265, deputy mayors and vice-chairpersons receiving US$243, committee chairpersons US$229 and ordinary councillors US$221.

Twenty percent of these amounts will be implemented starting January 2026.

However, Government has removed exit packages for councillors at the end of their terms.

“The minister has approved that no exit package be paid to any councillor on the completion of his/her term of office,” reads part of the circular.

This move comes in response to past controversies surrounding golden handshakes — lavish, non-performance-based severance packages — awarded to outgoing councillors, especially mayors and executives.

Golden handshakes often include cash, vehicles or equity and are viewed as draining local authority coffers without guaranteeing improved service delivery.

Councillors are also entitled to residential and commercial stands, free parking and a grave during their term of office.

However, Minister Garwe clarified that the title of “Alderman” remains honorary and carries no financial or material benefits.

Minister Garwe warned councils against implementing unapproved benefits.

“Any circular that arbitrarily raised allowances without ministerial approval or awarded perks outside this circular should recover same forthwith,” he said.

He further directed the Auditor-General to audit all allowance payments and perk allocations to ensure compliance.

“The interpretation of this circular rests with the Secretary of Local Government and Public Works, and all previous circulars on allowances and perks are hereby cancelled,” the minister added.

The new measures follow the 2025 All-Councillors Indaba held in Bulawayo in June, where the minister had pledged to formalise the perks structure.

The circular, he said, is effective immediately. Sunday Mail

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