“Devolution of power an idea whose time has come”, Hon. Moyo

Minister of State Enterprises and Parastatals, Honourable Godern Moyo has said it is inevitable that devolution of power should be enshrined in the Zimbabwean constitution and as such debates should now be centred on the nature of devolution that Zimbabweans want.

Speaking at the recently held conference on Devolution and Democracy, Hon. Moyo dismissed anti-devolutionists saying their arguments are fallacious and illogical. He also dismissed the notion that devolution will bring about ethnic division saying Zimbabwe has had the worst human rights abuses under a centralised state. Making reference to Rwanda that adopted devolution as a solution to a genocide, he said;

“Devolution is in fact a solution to division because it recognises plurality and multiplicity of voices and thoughts. The centralised system has been marginalising some sectors of the country and that is why we have people who are now even calling for cessation.”

Moyo said that the argument that Zimbabwe is too small for devolution is unfounded because countries far much smaller both in geography and demography than Zimbabwe are devolved states, a case in point are countries like Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda as well as Switzerland. “Even in terms of the economy Zimbabwe cannot be considered small because in terms of per capita it is one of the strongest economies in Africa,” he added.    

Devolution of power has been identified as one of the issues that deserve space in the new constitution as it will lead Zimbabwe to a modern democratic state.

Giving a legal analysis that is focused on minimum conditions to make devolution work, Dr. Alex Magaisa underlined some of the salient cons associated with devolution of power. Shifting of responsibilities could lead to central government neglecting some of its duties and blaming the local authorities. Dr. Magaisa said that by devolving power, government would be allowing people to be part of making decisions that affect them and it is a good thing that the issue is being discussed during a defining moment in Zimbabwe’s history.

“I call this a defining moment because Zimbabwe’s governance system will never be the same again after COPAC completes the mandate of leading the constitution making process,” said Dr. Magaisa, adding that there is the assumption that devolution is about functions only but it should be about both power and functions. He emphasised that systems are usually not the problem but the individuals given the obligation to exercise power. Therefore it becomes imperative that as the nation debates on devolution, effective systems of governance should be implemented so as curb effects of mismanagement of resources.

The concept of devolution was interrogated by academics, politicians and civic leaders at a conference held under the theme, “Deepening Democracy Through Devolution” where it was agreed that development on its own is not enough and democracy without development is equally void.   The conference was convened by the NYDT in partnership with BPRA and Bulawayo Agenda.