Paul Nyathi|Realising the inevitable presidential election challenge by the opposition MDC Alliance that will delay the swearing in of president elect Emmerson Mnangagwa and consequently that of councillors, government has appointed commissions that will preside over local authorities around the country, an outgoing Cabinet Minister said yesterday.

In an interview with the state media, the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, July Moyo, said the appointments of the commissions to run rural and urban councils was with immediate effect.

He said Section 143 of the Constitution as read with Section 158 of the Rural District Councils Act (Chapter 29:13 and Section 80 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) provides that local authorities will be presided over by commissions prior to the swearing in of new councillors.

“Yes, its necessary (the appointment of the commissions) because oversight must never be lost in these rural district councils, local boards, town councils, municipalities and cities in the absence of councillors,” said Min Moyo.

“So Government has tasked able people who we think can work for the best of the rate payers prior to the swearing in of new councillors.”

Members making up commissions include businesspeople, traditional, church and community leaders who will be assisted by District Administrators in their respective districts.

“The (commissions) should be guided by the following terms of reference, namely to preside over local authorities on an interim bases until a new council is sworn in and to strictly adhere to existing statues in all council activities and operations.

“To avoid making far reaching decisions on behalf of the local authority without consulting the Ministry. They shall not engage in land or stands allocations, not to enter into agreements involving joint ventures, not engage in acquisition and or disposal of council property, not employ new staff and not deal with tenders,” reads part of the appointment letter.