Good Governance is Key to National Development

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Legal Department is facilitating an eight-day By – Law Drafting and Training workshop for the City of Masvingo at Management Training Bureau (MTB) Council Management and Technical Team from 12 to 19 February 2023 in Harare.

The workshop’s main objective is to train participants to draft by – laws as they are the basis for the Council operations as well as regulation of activities in the City.

Speaking during the official opening of the workshop, the City of Masvingo Town Clerk, Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa said the seriousness of this workshop can not be re – emphasised as it is the basis for the Council operations as well as regulation of different activities in the City.

‘These by – laws are important as they form the basis for revenue collection and also for maintenance of law and order in the area under the Council’s jurisdiction’, he said.

He further highlighted that the exercise is set to benefit residents and ratepayers of Masvingo.

Speaking on the first day of the workshop, Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Deputy Legal Advisor Mrs Kudzai Tshuma called on workshop participants to draft by – laws in the best interest of the residents and ratepayers in line with the principles of good corporate governance.

Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Deputy Legal Advisor Mrs Kudzai Tshuma commended City of Masvingo for the successful crafting of by – laws in the year 2022 and also for its diverse composition, noting that collective experience of participants and success in the local governance is essential to the growth of cities in line with the Vision 2030.

Compliance and drafting of by – laws is in line with the Urban Councils Act.

Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa, reiterated and reaffirmed the City of Masvingo’s commitment to delivering on its mandate as enunciated by the parent ministry and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

By – Laws on discussion include; Air Pollution, Informal Trading, Regulation of derelict unoccupied and dangerous buildings, encroachment and projections on properties, prohibition of use of commercial shop and industrial properties for residential use.

Among those who are attending the workshop are officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the City of Masvingo Town Clerk, Eng Edward Mukaratirwa, Chamber Secretary, Mr Vitalis Shonhai, Acting Director of Housing and Social Services, Mr Simbarashe Mandishona, Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms Suzanne Madamombe, Finance Director, Mr Danister Jori, Deputy Director Engineering Services, Eng Kudzai Mbetu, Chief Internal Auditor, Mrs Dorcas Makusha and the City of Masvingo By – Law drafting technical team.