By Paul Nyathi|Local Government Minister July Moyo has defended President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s unconstitutional appointment of Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs.

Moyo whose Ministry is tasked with the formulation of local government legislation that will guide operations of the devolution of power constitutional provisions battled to explain in an interview with state media over the weekend how the ministers will fit into the operations of the provincial councils.

Moyo, like his collegue the Minister of
Justice tried hard to dispel a conflict of operation between Provincial Councils and Provincial Ministers of State.

“The Provincial Minister is a minister appointed by the President in terms of the constitution in terms of what mandate they are given. They are part of the executive of the National Government.

“They are de-concentrated to the provinces through the decentralisation principle so that at least there is Government near the people. So that is the minister.

“He is an executive of Central Government. He is appointed in the same manner as a minister who is running a ministry. He is appointed in the same manner as a Minister of State in the Office of Vice President (Kembo) Mohadi’s office or (Constantino) Chiwenga’s. He is appointed in the same manner deputy ministers are appointed,” said Moyo.

“The President is given powers to appoint his executive and that’s what he has done. The provincial council becomes the Parliament of that area in our view. It has powers to legislate certain aspects that are particular to that area and the constitution also allows them in some cases to look after tourism, planning and co-ordination.

“But that co-ordination requires that they look at Bulawayo as a unique place but if you are in Matabeleland North you have local authorities such as Victoria Falls, Lupane, Nkayi, Umguza, Binga, Bubi and Hwange. Those need to be co-ordinated by these provincial councils because there are certain services that are going to cut across the boundaries of these authorities so co-ordination and planning is necessary and that is what the provincial councils are called upon to do.”

According to the constitution, provincial councils will elect their own chairpersons who will be approved by the President and will carry out exactly the same tasks that the minister has alluded to the Minister of State.