Devolution in Zimbabwe’s ‘Second Republic’: A Myth or Reality?

Mbuso Moyo () and Ray Motsi
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Mbuso Moyo: University of Johannesburg
Ray Motsi: Theological College of Zimbabwe

A chapter in Making Politics in Zimbabwe’s Second Republic, 2023, pp 143-167 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This chapter plots progress in the implementation of devolution in Zimbabwe, with a particular focus on post-Mugabe Zimbabwe. It identifies and discusses the actual actions and interventions by the state for the realisation of a devolved political system in Zimbabwe. While the new Constitution of Zimbabwe was adopted under his tutelage in 2013, Mugabe had taken an unambiguous aversion to devolution. Instead of giving effect to constitutional provisions on devolution, Mugabe continued to implement the old clauses of Zimbabwe’s 1979 Lancaster House Constitution. For example, he appointed Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs, not Provincial and Metropolitan Councils as stipulated by the Constitution. President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ascension to power in November 2017 and his promise of a ‘Second Republic’ posited a departure from Mugabe’s dictatorial and centralist system to a more open, accountable and devolved system of government, as part of a broader formative project. The transition though has been elusive and progress disappointing. Mnangagwa has not only continued the actions that are ultra vires Zimbabwe’s new Constitution but has exhibited reticence to supporting meaningful actions that give effect to a devolved political system in Zimbabwe. If the actions of Mnangagwa’s government are anything to go by, devolution will remain a chimera for the longest time to come in Zimbabwe.

Keywords: Decentralisation; Devolution; Constitution; Transition; Progress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:aaechp:978-3-031-30129-2_8

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-30129-2_8

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