The government has banned local authorities from holding workshops or seminars outside their areas of jurisdiction.
The government’s new stance was revealed in a circular addressed to councils by Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Ministry acting secretary Joseph Mhakayakora. He said:
The Honourable [Local Government Minister July Moyo] has placed a restriction on the holding of workshops, seminars, training and similar events outside of the council jurisdiction in the case of urban councils and outside the administrative district in the case of Rural District Councils unless authority to hold a function at an alternative venue has been sanctioned by the permanent secretary.
This follows reports that Harare City Council recently spent $1,2 million on hotel expenses and travelling in only three months while service delivery is in a deplorable state.