Zimbabwe’s Cabinet has approved the Municipal Police and Courts Bill, 2026 , paving the way for local authorities to establish dedicated municipal police serv...
Zimbabwe’s Cabinet has approved the Municipal Police and Courts Bill, 2026, paving the way for local authorities to establish dedicated municipal police services and municipal courts aimed at strengthening by-law enforcement, improving public safety and enhancing local governance.
The approval was announced by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare after Cabinet considered the proposed legislation presented by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who chairs the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
According to Dr Soda, the proposed law builds on existing powers granted to local authorities under the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15] and the Rural District Councils Act [Chapter 29:13], which already empower councils to make and enforce by-laws within their jurisdictions.
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“The promotion of good governance, efficient service delivery and access to justice requires coordinated structures and strengthened municipal enforcement of by-laws, including the apprehension, investigation and prosecution of offenders,” Dr Soda said.
Under the proposed legislation, municipalities will be empowered to establish professional municipal police services responsible for community safety, traffic management, by-law enforcement and the prevention of local offences.
The Bill also provides for the creation of municipal courts, which will have jurisdiction over municipal by-law offences, traffic violations and other minor criminal matters. It further outlines the appointment of municipal magistrates and operational procedures for the new courts.
Government says the legislation is intended to strengthen Zimbabwe’s constitutional devolution agenda by improving service delivery, environmental management and accountability at local authority level.
The proposal has received support from local government officials. Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart described Cabinet’s approval as a major step forward and praised Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe for championing the initiative.
“This Bill, when it becomes law, will greatly enhance the municipal police’s ability to enforce our by-laws, which in turn will lead to a cleaner, healthier and more orderly city,” Coltart said.
The Bill will now be tabled before Parliament for debate and consideration. If passed by both Houses and assented to by the President, it will become law and provide the legal framework for the establishment of municipal police services and municipal courts across Zimbabwe.
