Section 264: Devolution of governmental powers and responsibilities

(1) Whenever appropriate, governmental powers and responsibilities must be devolved to provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities which are competent to carry out those responsibilities efficiently and effectively.

(2) The objectives of the devolution of governmental powers and responsibilities to provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities are—

    (a) to give powers of local governance to the people and enhance their participation in the

exercise of the powers of the State and in making decisions affecting them;

    (b) to promote democratic, effective, transparent, accountable and coherent government in

Zimbabwe as a whole;

    (c) to preserve and foster the peace, national unity and indivisibility of Zimbabwe;

    (d) to recognise the right of communities to manage their own affairs and to further their

development;

    (e) to ensure the equitable sharing of local and national resources; and

    (f) to transfer responsibilities and resources from the national government in order to

establish a sound financial base for each provincial and metropolitan council and local

authority.