Challenges faced by local authorities during budget adoptions in Zimbabwe: a case study of Bindura district · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Roya, Ruvarashe

Title

Challenges faced by local authorities during budget adoptions in Zimbabwe: a case study of Bindura district

Abstract

The purpose of the study is focused on the challenges faced by local authorities during budget adoptions in Zimbabwe focusing at Bindura district. The researcher used qualitative research methodology because qualitative research provides a rich and comprehensive description of human experiences and meanings and findings are allowed to emerge, rather than being imposed by an investigator. The design allows for in-depth knowledge for the subject under study as it focuses on answering questions on how and why of the presenting situation or phenomenon.The key findings on this research are that, local authorities challenges have increased and become more and more complicated in recent years. These challenges include, high rate of inflation, corruption and embezzlement of funds. In Zimbabwe there are issues also that comprise of high inflation rate of the local currency thus RTGS. The fluctuation of the Zimbabwean local currency reduces the efficiency of the local authority. High rate of inflation also lead to loss of massive funds that the local authorities need in the provision of service delivery to residents. In Zimbabwe, it is difficult to do fiscal budgeting using the local currency. Corruption and embezzlement of funds also hinders the local authorities during budget adoption. Corruption and embezzlement of funds reduces income of funds to the local authorities resulting in high expenditures leading to difficulties on local authorities during budget adoption. The conclusion is that, the above factors are the major reason why local authorities are failing to provide good services to its clients. Good services include garbage collection, sewage servicing, infrastructural development, social services among other services. More so, because of the above challenges investors and well-wishers are reluctant to work hand in hand with the local authorities. It can be recommended that, Local authorities should practice due diligent in its administration and operations. It should have strong internal audit system and refrain from corruption and nepotism. Also, the local authorities should seek to promote public engagement to improve their performance. This can be done through increased public awareness and education as well as the development of public participation programs.

Date

June 2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Local authorities, budget, Bindura

Supervisor

NIL