The impact of the economic decline on service delivery in the city of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Most African countries are facing harsh economic challenges. In spite of the severe economic conditions, there still remains a dire need to advance service provision especially in metropolitans. Among such countries is Zimbabwe whose economy continues to deteriorate to unprecedented levels. Over the past few decades, Zimbabwe has been experiencing severe economic decline. The objective of this study is to examine the extent to which economic decline affects service delivery in the metropolitan city of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe. The study will use a mixed method approach, that is, a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. A sample of 100 respondents which comprises residents who are also employees of the city of Bulawayo was used. The study reveals that the entire economic decline in Zimbabwe has adversely affected the running of Bulawayo metropolitan activities, further negatively affecting the services discharged to the residents. Metropolitans in Zimbabwe are facing a serious challenge in raising adequate finances to enable them to run their activities. This is a result of a number of factors such as government interference in the affairs of the metropolitans, unemployment of most of the residents, poor remuneration of the few employed residents which inevitably leads to inability to pay for services rendered by the metropolitan. Another hurdle is lack of resources such as machinery, chemicals, medical drugs, ambulances and refuse trucks by the metropolitan as a whole. Responses from respondents confirm the notion of poor service delivery in Bulawayo metropolitan. The study will further recommend various strategies that the metropolitan might use to revise its revenue collection strategies so as to boost funding for service delivery.