Own Correspondent|ZANU-PF has proposed amendments to the national Constitution to streamline the functions of Provincial Councils in its efforts to implement devolution of powers from Central Government.

The ruling party revealed its wishes on the principle in its resolutions adopted at the end of the ruling party’s 17th Annual National People’s Conference held in Esigodini, Matabeleland South Province, last week.

The amendments stops members of Parliament from being part of Provincial Councils and instead to exercise an oversight role over their operations.

“It is proposed that Provincial Councils be constituted only by elected councillors and their chairpersons and mayors of urban councils.

“It is proposed to amend the Constitution to exclude all members of Parliament from being members of Provincial Councils,” reads part of the resolutions.

Currently, the Constitution allows MPs to be part of Provincial Councils and President Mnangagwa has said this would make it difficult for legislators to exercise an oversight over the councils.

The ruling party also resolved that the unconstitutional Provincial Affairs Ministers should coordinate development projects in their respective provinces.

“It is resolved that the role of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, as provincial representatives of His Excellency the President, be to provide overall coordination of development programmes.

“That the role of Provincial Councils be to provide legislative framework on provincial economic development through the production of economic development plans,” the ruling party further resolved.

It was also resolved that a database of provincial economies be established, with the Minister of State required to take custody of the information.

“Capacity of Provincial Councils and the Minister of State should be built to enable them to effectively engage business entities, development partners and investors timelessly,” Zanu-PF said in its resolutions.