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Walter Mswazie
About 34 000 Christians across the country’s southern region have appended their signatures on a petition to lobby parliament to expedite the implementation of the devolution programme.

Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA) chairman Reverend Obert Shatai told The Herald yesterday that the church-led organisation held advocacy meetings in a number of urban settings where participants expressed reservations over the delays on devolution.

Participants demanded that parliament be taken to task over delays in implementing develolution, a programme seen as critical in transforming the lives of citizens across the country. Rev Shatai said it was the duty of parliament to ensure that the Bill which would operationalise the devolution programme be in place before implementation.

“We have solicited for signatures numbering to 34 000 from Christians in the southern region of the country who feel that the programme of devolution should be implemented now. Those who appended their signatures are from Matabeleland South and North, Gweru, Masvingo, Gwanda and Bulawayo,” he said.

Rev Shatai said the next port of call would be taking the signed petition to the Speaker of Parliament for adoption. “Now that we have achieved our first objective of getting support on our agenda on devolution, we can take the signed petition to the Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mundeda. We expect Parliament to take action. As you know, the August house is the Alpha and Omega on operationalising devolution.

Rev Shatai said churches felt that devolution would address a number of developmental challenges presently affecting citizens. It is also thought that devolution would promote the equitable distribution of natural resources.

However, Rev Shatai hailed President Mnangagwa’s commitment towards devolving resources, power and decision making.
“Like what has happened in Kenya which should be our case study, devolution works effectively.