An Evaluation of the Implementation of the Devolution Policy in Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study examines the implementation of Zimbabwe’s devolution policy in Manicaland Province, focusing on progress, challenges, and success factors across key sectors such as infrastructure, education, health, and local governance. Anchored in the New Public Management (NPM) theory and Falleti’s Sequential Theory of Decentralisation, the research employed a qualitative case study design to explore how decentralised governance structures function in practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants comprising provincial officials, local Councillors, civil society representatives, and community leaders complemented by document analysis of policy and project reports. Two focus group discussions were conducted of 9 and 7 people of Mutare and Makoni respectively. The findings revealed that devolution has enhanced service delivery and local development, particularly through initiatives such as the Manicaland Community Resilience Project (MCRP) and the Local Government Capacity Building Project (LGCBP), which improved administrative efficiency, community participation, and project sustainability. However, persistent constraints such as delayed fiscal transfers, political interference, weak institutional capacity, and corruption continue to undermine implementation effectiveness. The study also identified that community engagement and collaborative governance mechanisms significantly contribute to policy success by fostering transparency, accountability, and citizen empowerment. It concludes that while devolution has laid the foundation for inclusive governance and local empowerment, its transformative potential remains unrealised without consistent funding, strengthened local capacity, and institutional accountability. The research recommends enhancing fiscal decentralisation, institutionalising participatory frameworks, and promoting partnerships between government, civil society, and international development actors to ensure sustainable devolution outcomes.