Section 275: Local authorities for rural areas
Constitution of Zimbabwe
(1) There are rural local authorities, established in accordance with this section, to represent and manage the affairs of people in rural areas.
(2) An Act of Parliament must provide forโ
(a) the establishment of rural local authorities;
(b) the election, by registered voters in the rural areas concerned, of councils to manage
the affairs of the local authorities referred to in paragraph (a);
(c) the election of chairpersons, by whatever title they may be called, to preside over the
councils referred to in paragraph (b); and
(d) the qualifications of members of the councils referred to in paragraph (b).
(3) Different classes of local authorities may be established for different rural areas, and two or more different areas may be placed under the management of a single local authority.
Insight: Decentralized Governance in Rural Zimbabwe
This section establishes a framework for rural self-governance through locally elected authorities. It allows for flexibility in implementation by permitting different classes of authorities for different areas, or combining areas under single management. This approach recognizes the diverse needs of Zimbabwe's rural communities while ensuring democratic representation through elected councils and chairpersons.