By Own Correspondent
HARARE – The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has issued a stern circular
to all mayors and council chairpersons across Zimbabwe, ordering an immediate halt to the
misuse of Cabinet Authority granted for external travel, benchmarking visits, conferences,
and official engagements.
The strongly worded circular, dated April 28, 2026, and signed by Minister Daniel Garwe,
warned that Cabinet Authority was being grossly abused by policymakers and officials who
treat sanctioned foreign travel as a personal privilege rather than a public duty.
“Cabinet Authority is granted solely for the purpose of representing the Republic of
Zimbabwe, your province and your local authority in pursuit of national interests, investment
promotion, service delivery partnerships and the advancement of the government’s
development agenda. It is not a privilege for personal aggrandisement,” reads part of the
circular.
He further expressed grave concern that some officials were using official trips primarily for
shopping sprees and tourism rather than business interaction.
“It has, however, been noted with great concern that some policymakers and officials treat
such authority as an opportunity for personal shopping expeditions and social engagements,
only becoming visible during official dinners and photo opportunities. Such conduct
undermines the government’s austerity measures, erodes public confidence in local
authorities, and brings the entire local government system into disrepute,” reads part of the
circular.
The circular’s timing is particularly pointed for residents of Chiredzi, where the town
council’s track record on external travel has already drawn sharp public scrutiny.
In June 2025, Chiredzi Central MP Ropafadzo Makumire raised alarm over the council’s
decision to fund a US$50,000 trip to the International Youth World Camp in Busan, South
Korea, despite the local authority’s welldocumented financial difficulties and months of
unpaid staff salaries. Residents say they never received feedback on what transpired at the
event or what opportunities were created for the betterment of Chiredzi. That controversy,
barely a year old, now appears to be precisely the kind of conduct the Minister’s circular is
targeting.
The directive orders that the practice of using Cabinet Authority for personal business and
leisure must come to an immediate end. It instructs that the circular’s contents be cascaded to
all councillors, town clerks, chief executive officers, and council officials.
Against this backdrop, the Ministry’s directive carries both administrative and moral weight.
The message is unambiguous: officials entrusted with public resources at a time when
citizens are demanding better services must demonstrate the highest levels of discipline,
accountability, and commitment to duty.
In practical terms, the circular tightens the conditions under which local authority leaders can
seek Cabinet Authority for foreign travel. Officials will now be expected to demonstrate a
direct, verifiable link between proposed travel and national interests, investment promotion,
or service delivery partnerships. They cannot treat such authority as an entitlement attached
