Section 274: Urban local authorities
Constitution of Zimbabwe
(1) There are urban local authorities to represent and manage the affairs of people in urban areas throughout Zimbabwe.
(2) Urban local authorities are managed by councils composed of councillors elected by registered voters in the urban areas concerned and presided over by elected mayors or chairpersons, by whatever name called.
(3) Different classes of local authorities may be established for different urban areas, and two or more different urban areas may be placed under the management of a single local authority.
(4) The qualifications and procedure for the election of persons referred to in subsection (2) must be set out in the Electoral Law.
(5) An Act of Parliament may confer executive powers on the mayor or chairperson of an urban local authority, but any mayor or chairperson on whom such powers are conferred must be elected directly by registered voters in the area for which the local authority has been established.
Key Insight: Democratic Urban Governance Structure
This section establishes a democratic framework for urban governance in Zimbabwe through elected councils. It allows for flexibility in how urban areas are administered, permitting different classifications of authorities and the possibility of shared management across multiple urban areas. The provision for directly elected mayors with executive powers (when granted by Parliament) ensures accountability to voters rather than appointment from above.