Challenges and prospects of residents associations in holding urban local authorities to account: the case of Mutare city, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Residents Associations are beginning to gain momentum in Zimbabwe because of their contribution in urban service delivery and enhancement of transparency and accountability in Local Authorities. The study reveals the challenges and prospects of RAs in holding urban Local Authorities to account The study was carried out in Mutare city with the main purpose of exploring the challenges and prospects of Residents Associations in holding Local Authorities to account.The objectives of the study were to examine why it is important to hold Local Authorities to account, to identify challenges being faced by Residents Associations in holding Local Authorities to account and to determine the prospects of Residents Associations in holding Local Authorities to account. To fulfill these objectives related literature was revealed and analyzed. 30 Questionnaires were administered to residents and Residents Associations ward committees’ members, 16 people were interviewed and 3 focus group discussions were conducted. The researcher found out that challenges faced by Residents Associations were three dimensional and the prospects of Residents Associations were bright. Study concluded that Residents Associations are very important in holding Local Authorities to account and as well as effecting better service delivery in Mutare City.