Section 276: Functions of local authorities
Constitution of Zimbabwe
(1) Subject to this Constitution and any Act of Parliament, a local authority has the right to govern, on its own initiative, the local affairsofthe people within the area for which it has been established, and has all the powers necessary for it to do so.
(2) An Act of Parliament may confer functions on local authorities, including—
(a) a power to make by-laws, regulations or rules for the effective administration of the
areas for which they have been established;
(b) a power to levy rates and taxes and generally to raise sufficient revenue for them to
carry out their objects and responsibilities.
Key Insight: Local Authority Autonomy
This section establishes a principle of local self-governance, giving communities significant control over their immediate affairs. While the Constitution grants local authorities inherent rights to govern independently, Parliament maintains oversight by defining the scope of their powers through legislation. This creates a balanced system where local authorities have meaningful autonomy but within a national framework—similar to how many effective decentralized governance systems operate worldwide.