A public dialogue aimed at strengthening accountability and ethical governance within Bulawayo’s local authority will take place on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, at the Bulawayo Club.
Running from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the event is expected to draw 50 participants, including residents, city councillors, civil society organisations, and church representatives.
Titled “Enhancing Integrity in Local Governance,” the meeting comes in response to growing public concern over corruption-related incidents within local authorities across the country.
The dialogue is being organised by the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE), in collaboration with the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) and the Public Policy and Research Institute of Zimbabwe (PPRIZ). The initiative seeks to foster open engagement between city leaders and residents, promoting transparency, citizen participation, and collective responsibility.
Key speakers will include Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu, Zibusiso Dube, a development practitioner, representatives from the Bulawayo City Council’s Audit Department, and a residents’ representative.
“This dialogue comes at a time when public confidence in municipal leadership is being tested,” said Abigirl Khupe, CITE programs manager. “We hope to create a platform where residents and officials can come together to seek lasting solutions.”
The event will focus on creating inclusive dialogue on how integrity influences governance and service delivery, and to strengthen citizen engagement in holding local authorities accountable.
Zimbabwe continues to struggle with high levels of perceived corruption, ranking 158 out of 180 countries in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, the country’s lowest position in a decade. These national trends are mirrored in local contexts, with Bulawayo residents increasingly vocal about lack of transparency and poor service delivery.
Organisers hope the event will serve as a starting point for broader reforms and more robust oversight mechanisms within local governance. Recommendations and feedback from the meeting are expected to inform future advocacy, policy work, and civic action aimed at promoting integrity and accountability.