Putting Democratic Urban Governance in Zimbabwe yo Test through Appointment of ‘Special Interest’ Councillors

Abstract

The appointment of special interest councillors in urban councils has courted a lot of controversy as this has been viewed as a political ploy by ZANU PF to counter the MDC-run councils. Both political and official views have been accorded to the appointment of ‘special interest councillors. The arbitrary powers of the Minister of Local Government Rural and Urban development (MLGRUD) has incurred the wrath of the public who view these legislative powers as being used  to gain political mileage by ZANU PF party as well as a vindictive measure against residents for failing to vote for ZANU PF in Local Government elections, among other electoral processes. In this paper a normative legislative framework involving international, regional instruments as well as national legislation is used to determine the extent to which the legislation and practice of appointing ‘special interest’ councillors in terms of section 4 A of the Urban Councils Act (2008) complies and resonates with democratic practice. The position of the new Constitution of Zimbabwe on local governance provides a more democratic dispensation.