ZINARA Transparency Move Puts Pressure on Local Authorities

By Shingirai Vambe

Manicaland – With corruption allegations and financial mismanagement dogging local authorities across the country, the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) has taken the bold step of publishing details of its disbursements to councils in a move aimed at strengthening transparency and restoring public trust.

ZINARA, whose mandate is set out under the Zimbabwe Roads Act (Chapter 13:18), is responsible for mobilising, managing, and disbursing road funds collected through tolling, vehicle licensing, and the fuel levy. The authority also monitors the use of these funds by councils and road authorities while setting construction and maintenance standards.

For years, however, local authorities have been on record for misusing funds meant for road development. Communities across Zimbabwe, particularly in rural districts, have raised alarm at the widening gap between what is allocated on paper and the deteriorating condition of their roads on the ground.

It is against this background that ZINARA has decided to lift the veil, deliberately disclosing how much money and fuel has been distributed to local authorities, an accountability gesture that civic groups say was long overdue.

The Post on Sunday has received a disbursement sheet showing allocations for the 10 rural and urban councils in Manicaland Province. As of June 30, 2025, figures show that just over 40 percent of the allocated funds had been released, while fuel allocations were slightly better, with 55 percent disbursed on average.

Of all the councils in Manicaland, only Mutasa Rural District Council had received its full fuel allocation, while others were still waiting for their balances. ZINARA officials say greater focus has been placed on rural councils where most road networks have become impassable, cutting off communities from markets, schools, and clinics.

“Rural roads are lifelines for villagers,” ZINARA official said. “Without them, children cannot get to school, farmers cannot move their produce, and patients cannot reach hospitals in time. We had to prioritise those areas.”

Despite the allocations, many local authorities continue to struggle. Years of underfunding, corruption, and neglect have left councils without the necessary equipment to repair or maintain roads. Some have used part of the ZINARA fund to repair graders, tipper trucks, and other machinery before turning to actual road works.

While this may be a necessary step, critics argue that councils have not done enough to communicate their priorities and plans to residents. Community members complain that there is little to no feedback on how much has been received, what it is being spent on, or when road projects will be completed.

“The money comes in, but we never know how it is used,” said a resident from Rusape. “Councillors don’t call meetings. It is as if they are afraid of being held accountable.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, speaking earlier this year during a Local Government Indaba in Bulawayo, called on councillors and mayors to hold regular feedback meetings with residents who elected them. He stressed that councils should be open to public scrutiny and accept accountability as a cornerstone of governance.

“Councillors are servants of the people,” the President said. “They must be ready to account for every dollar and every litre of fuel they receive. Communities deserve to know how their roads are being fixed.”

Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) has welcomed ZINARA’s decision to release disbursement details, describing it as a “positive step in closing the accountability gap.”

“For a long time, citizens have had no way of verifying how much was allocated to their councils,” said a TIZ Director, Tafadza Chikumbu. “This secrecy created opportunities for corruption and abuse. Public disclosure not only builds trust but also empowers communities to demand better service delivery.”

Yet, challenges remain. Experts note that disclosure alone will not solve the problem. Without mechanisms to track how funds are spent after leaving ZINARA, local authorities could still divert resources or fail to use them effectively. ZINARA however responded to this publication and said they have a team of engineers for monitoring and evaluation.

Communities, too, have a role to play. Civic watchdogs are encouraging residents to demand public meetings, request financial reports, and insist on transparency in procurement processes.

“Accountability is a two-way street,” a governance analyst observed. “ZINARA has done its part by publishing figures. Now councils must meet citizens halfway by showing where the money went and what it achieved.”