Browsing by Author "Mapuva, Jephias"

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    Civil society and citizen participation in governance processes in Zimbabwe, 1997-2010
    (University of the Western Cape, 2011) Mapuva, Jephias; Thompson, Lisa
    The deteriorating political environment in Zimbabwe, especially from the mid-1990s culminated in the emergence of pro-democracy CSOs that sought to engage the authoritarian to encapsulate democratic principles and enhance citizen participation in governance processes in Zimbabwe, especially from 1997 to 2010. The case studies are the Combined Harare Residents ' Association (CHRA), the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Organization (ZimRights). Interviews and questionnaires conducted on CSO secretariats and members and complemented by documentary analysis presented as qualitative and quantitative data respectively. Data is drawn from a cumulative total of 300 tasks. The analytical framework is drawn from debates around the interconnectedness between democracy, governance, civil society and citizen participation provide.
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    Enhancing local governance through local initiatives: Residents' associations in Zimbabwe
    (Academic Journals, 2011) Mapuva, Jephias
    Residents associations are a local initiative by residents within a specific community. Through residents associations, citizens have been able to keep local authorities in check and to demand accountability. With the economic crises facing many countries across the globe and the world recession setting in, as well as the economic meltdown in Zimbabwe over the last few years, which was exacerbated by a hyperinflationary environment, local authorities have had to contend with shortages of resources to dispense services to local communities. This has increased restiveness on the part of residents. The article eclectically draws from the mobilisation theory whose premise is that a disgruntled citizenry is easy to mobilise. The study of the Combined Harare Residents' Association (CHRA) has shown that residents' associations are a conduit through which residents can demand accountability and participatory spaces in promoting good local governance. This article seeks to explore the extent to which residents associations have enhanced citizen participation and promote good local governance. This article deliberates on the prospects and challenges which residents associations as residents' initiative can enhance citizen participation in local governance.
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    Special interest councillors in Zimbabwe: a review of law and practice in terms of the 2013 Constitution
    (University of the Western Cape, 2013) de Visser, Jaap; Mapuva, Jephias
    Local governance in Zimbabwe has a chequered history. Despite high hopes for democratic local governance on the attainment of political independence in 1980, it has often defied democratic practice and is yet to bring tangible benefits to communities. Attempts at democratising local governance through the amendment of local government legislation have not yet brought about vibrant democratic practices. This article explores section 4A of the Urban Councils Act, which provides that the Minister of Local Government may appoint special interest councillors onto urban councils. It examines the extent to which this has enhanced or inhibited democratic local governance. It then proceeds to examine this phenomenon against regional instruments on local democracy and finally assesses whether it can stand the test of the freshly promulgated Constitution.