The impact of revenue generating systems on local authority performance:A case for Harare City council

Author

Memory Gamuchirai S

Title

The impact of revenue generating systems on local authority performance:A case for Harare City council

Abstract

Zimbabwe's capital city, Harare, has had major operational and financial difficulties in recent years, which has made it more difficult for it to support local economic growth and provide necessary public services. The Harare City Council has looked into a number of revenue generating
strategies in response to these difficulties in an effort to strengthen its financial position and enhance overall performance. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine how revenue-generating mechanisms affect the Harare City Council's effectiveness. It specifically looks at how the council performs in areas like service delivery, infrastructure development, and financial sustainability in relation to the adoption of revenue-generating strategies like property taxes, user fees, and commercial activities. The study uses a mixed-methods research approach, combining qualitative interviews with important stakeholders, such as council members, local companies, and community representatives, with quantitative analysis of financial and operational data from the Harare City Council. There was use of SPSS v20 in the analysation of data. A thorough grasp of the opportunities, difficulties, and unexpected consequences connected to the adoption of revenue-generating systems in the Harare setting is made possible by the research design. The study's conclusions show that while revenue generating systems have given the Harare City Council vital financial resources, their effects on overall performance have been uneven. The study emphasizes how crucial it is to match these systems with the council's strategic priorities, guarantee fair access to public services, and strike a balance between community needs and financial sustainability. The dissertation ends with suggestions for the successful development and application of revenue-generating strategies for the Harare City Council and other local authorities in Zimbabwe. These observations can support continued initiatives to strengthen local governments' operational and financial resilience, which will ultimately strengthen their capacity to promote inclusive and sustainable development in their local communities. According to the study Local authorities are urged to be transparent and consistent so that revenue is monitored.

Date

June 2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Revenue generating systems
Zimbabwe

Authority performance
Case study

Local
Harare

Supervisor

N/A