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RURAL DISTRICT COUNCILS ACT (CHAPTER 29:13)

CHAPTER 29:13 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCILS ACT

Acts 8/1988, 18/1989 (s. 45), 11/1991 (s. 31), 3/1992, 15/1994 (s. 25),

21/1997 (ss8 to 15), 23/1998, 25/1998 (s. 54), 22/2001 (s. 4), 13/2002 (s. 142), 1/2008 (ss 2 to 4), 3/2009 (s. 56).

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS PART I

PRELIMINARY Section

1. Short title.
3. Minister may classify land into categories 4. Areas deemed to be local government areas.
4. Specified areas.

PART II

DISTRICTS

6. Declaration, naming, alteration and abolition of districts.
7. Consultation before exercise of powers relating to districts.

PART III

ESTABLISHMENT, NATURE AND MEMBERSHIP OF RURALDISTRICTCOUNCILS

8. Establishment and naming of councils and division of areas into wards.
9. Consultation before exercise of powers relating to establishment of councils. 10. Incorporation of local authority areas into council areas
10. Membership of councils.
11. Councils to be bodies corporate.
12. [Repealed].

PART IV

QUALIFICATIONS, DISQUALIFICATIONS AND ENROLMENT OF VOTERS 14 - 27 [Repealed].

PART V

QUALIFICATIONS, DISQUALIFICATIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE OF ELECTED AND APPOINTED COUNCILLORS

28. [Repealed].
29. [Repealed].
30. Terms of office of elected councillors and re-election of councillors.
31. Appointed councillors.
32. Casual vacancies.

PART VI

ELECTIONS AND ELECTION PROCEDURE 33. – 44. [Repealed].

PART VII

PROCEEDINGS OF RURAL DISTRICT COUNCILS

45. Chairman and vice-chairman.
46. Meetings and special meetings of councils.
47. Quorum at meetings.
48. Disability from voting on account of interest in contracts, etc.
49. Validity of proceedings of councils.
50. Meetings open to public.
51. Minutes of proceedings.
52. Rescission or alteration of resolutions.
53. Minister’s approval required for certain resolutions.
54. Maximum period of leave of absence of councillors.

PART VIII

COMMITTEES OF RURAL DISTRICT COUNCILS

55. Finance committee.
56. Area committees.
57. Town boards.
58. Roads committee.
59. Ward development committees.
60. Rural district development committee.
61. Environment committee and subcommittees.
62. Other committees of council.
63. General provisions applicable to all committees.

PART IX

STAFF OF RURALDISTRICT COUNCILS

65. Interpretation in Part IX.
66. Appointment of officers and employees of councils.
67. Conditions of service of officers and employees of councils.
68. Delegation of powers to appoint and dismiss employees of councils.
69. Delegation of powers of councils to officers and employees.
70. Corrupt practices by officers and employees of councils.

PART X

POWERS OF DUTIES OF RURALDISTRICT COUNCILS

71. Powers of councils generally.
72. Powers in regard to sewerage and drainage.
73. Enforcement of conditions of title.
74. Development functions of councils.
75. Owners and occupiers of land may be charged for services made available.
76. Charges, rents and deposits by resolution.
77. Powers of entry and inspection.
78. Compulsory acquisition of property.
79. Contracts and tenders of councils.
80. Income-generating projects.
81. Establishment of co-operatives.
82. Co-operation with local authorities and persons.
83. Joint committees: by agreement.
84. Joint committees: Minister’s authority.
85. Provisions as to members and proceedings of joint committees.
86. Estate development.
87. Minister’s power to act on behalf of councils re state development.

PART XI

BY-LAWS OF RURAL DISTRICT COUNCILS

88. Making of by-laws.
89. By-laws in relation to certain urban areas.
90. Minister’s approval of by-laws.
91. Model by-laws.
92. Effect of repeal or amendment of model by-laws.
93. Model building by-laws.
94. Minister’s power to make or adopt by-laws on behalf of councils.

PART XII

LEVIES AND OTHER CHARGES

95. Interpretation in Part XII.
96. Levies in rural areas.
97. Special levies in rural areas.

97A. Special unit tax on A1 and A2 farms.

98. Urban land which is rateable property.
99. Rates in respect of rateable property.
100. Special rates in respect of rateable property.
101. Application of provisions of Cap. 29:15 relating to valuation and rating.
102. Land development levies on urban land.
103. Notice of intention to impose special levy or special rate.
104. Notice of liability to pay charges.
105. Imposition of and accounting for levies, rates and special rates.
106. When persons liable to pay portion only of charge.
107. Abatements for prompt payment of charges.
108. Interest on unpaid charges.
109. Charges to be paid before transfer of land.
110. Occupiers and agents liable for levies and rates in default of owners.
111. Collection of charges and payment by instalments.
112. Payment of charges by persons who first become liable thereto after fixed date.
113. Councils may require persons liable to pay levy to submit returns.
114. Refusal by occupiers to disclose names and addresses of owners of persons receiving rent.
115. Taxpayers leaving Zimbabwe.
116. Sales and leases of land and cancellations thereof to be reported to councils.

PART XIII

FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

117. Interpretation in Part XIII.
118. Funds of councils.
119. Financial year.
120. Books and accounts.
122. Elimination or reduction of accumulated deficit.
123. Banking accounts.
124. Borrowing powers.
125. Bank overdrafts.
126. Security for loans.
127. Repayment of loans.
128. Capital development funds.
129. Revenue reserves.
130. Housing account.
131. Investment of moneys.
132. Guarantees of loans to officers and employees.
133. Writing off of bad debts.
134. Appointment of auditors.
135. Duties of councils re
136. Powers and report of auditor.
137. Duty of council re accounts and report of auditor.
138. Power of Minister to conduct financial inquiry.