By A Correspondent

In a scathing statement released on Saturday, Norton Member of Parliament, Honourable Richard Tsvangirai, condemned the actions of the Mnangagwa regime for what he describes as a systematic erosion of the role of elected councillors in Zimbabwe.

Tsvangirai criticized the government for undermining the authority of local representatives, saying, “The role of Councillors as policymakers has been systematically stripped away. Decisions are now made by the Minister, while elected Councillors are reduced to rubber-stamping instead of representing the people.”

He went on to express his dismay over the current state of local governance, emphasizing that “those chosen by the residents to lead are now spectators, while those with no understanding of local realities dictate policies.”

According to Tsvangirai, this shift in power is not only frustrating for elected officials but also a betrayal of the democratic principles Zimbabwe should stand for.

“Those with no understanding of local realities dictate policies,” Tsvangirai added, further highlighting the disconnect between those in power and the communities they govern.

His remarks raised questions about the transparency and accountability of current governance structures at the local level, suggesting that councillors may be struggling to remain active participants in decisions that directly affect their constituencies.

Tsvangirai’s comments come at a time when questions about corruption within local government have been raised.

Critics have long argued that some councillors are not doing enough to address local issues, possibly due to the growing influence of central government decisions. These concerns about corruption and accountability in local politics remain a hot-button issue for many Zimbabweans.

“This is not democracy!” Tsvangirai declared emphatically. His call for a return to genuine local governance, where elected councillors have the power to make decisions on behalf of their communities, echoes the frustrations of many citizens who feel their voices are being sidelined in the current political climate.

The statement by Tsvangirai is likely to spark further debate on the role of elected officials in Zimbabwe’s local government structures and whether they are genuinely serving the interests of their communities or simply becoming instruments of a centralized, authoritarian regime.