Zimbabweans Call For Minimum Qualifications For MPs And Councillors

Zimbabweans Call For Minimum Qualifications For MPs And Councillors
There is growing public demand in Zimbabwe for legislative reform to introduce minimum academic and professional qualifications for councillors and Members of Parliament (MPs).

Under the current legal framework, the requirements for holding public office are minimal. Candidates must simply be registered voters aged 18 or older, with no formal education needed.

However, critics argue that this low threshold has contributed to poor governance, mismanagement, and ineffective leadership across both urban and rural councils.

The issue was a central topic during a recent This Morning on Asakhe X-Spaces discussion hosted by the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE), where participants weighed in on the implications of such reforms.

Governance expert Rejoice Ngwenya said that introducing minimum qualifications could help raise the calibre of local leadership.

He asserted that councillors, in particular, serve as the closest link between citizens and government and therefore need a basic understanding of the issues they oversee.

Ngwenya acknowledged that academic credentials alone do not guarantee effective leadership but stressed their value in promoting literacy, accountability, and legislative competence. He said:

It’s not just about performance. It’s about ensuring councillors are literate enough to analyse budgets, by-laws, and policy documents. These roles require critical thinking and informed decision-making.

Qualified leaders are more likely to speak up and less likely to fear losing their positions. Unfortunately, we’ve seen the rise of career politicians who are effective only in praise-singing.

Ngwenya acknowledged that while academic certificates are important, effective leadership also relies heavily on soft skills like communication and emotional intelligence.

Champion John pointed to the Harare City Council as a case in point, noting that many councillors are not able to interpret financial statements or embrace modern technology. Said John:

When we propose qualifications, it’s not to exclude anyone, but to ensure those in office can function effectively.

Harare still lacks an ERP system. A city council must have functional committees and technical understanding.

We need leaders who can undergo training and bring results. Service delivery, like clean water, doesn’t happen by accident, it requires knowledge and coordination.

Beke Mguni agreed, stressing that Members of Parliament must be adequately equipped to participate meaningfully in national discourse. She said:

Minimum qualifications are essential. How can MPs debate policy if they can’t read or understand legislation?

In Zimbabwe, laws are passed in Parliament, but many MPs don’t seem to grasp their legislative responsibility.

If they had the necessary education, they could better serve their constituents.

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