Councils that owe their workers salaries can no longer send officials abroad, hold workshops outside their own areas or buy personal-issue cars for senior managers, under a new government directive reported by NewZimbabwe and ZimCitizenNews.

The rules are set out in Local Authorities Circular Number 9 of 2026, dated 20 October and signed by Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, Permanent Secretary for Local Government and Public Works.

What the circular says

Muguti wrote that the ministry had noted "with serious concern" that some local authorities had built up salary arrears "spanning several months, together with outstanding statutory obligations". ZimCitizenNews lists those obligations as PAYE, NSSA, Zimra and pension contributions.

"This situation is unacceptable, as it adversely affects the welfare and livelihoods of employees, undermines staff morale, compromises productivity, and ultimately impairs the capacity of Local Authorities to deliver essential services to residents," the circular says, as quoted by ZimCitizenNews.

The directive sets out three bans for councils in arrears:

Foreign travel. No council with salary arrears may send officials outside the country until the arrears are cleared, and travel requests "shall not be considered favourably" until then.

Workshops. Workshops, retreats and conferences must be held inside the council's own area, if they are needed at all.

Cars. Councils may not buy vehicles "intended for personal allocation, personal issue, or as a condition of service for senior managers and other officers" until arrears and statutory debts are fully settled.

Councils can still buy vehicles and equipment for essential services, such as refuse trucks, ambulances and water bowsers, but NewZimbabwe reports these must be "justified, budgeted and not compromise salary payments".

Every council in debt must also draw up a time-bound financial recovery plan showing what it owes and how it will raise revenue, cut spending and clear its debts, and report regularly to the ministry. "The Ministry will monitor compliance and may take appropriate administrative measures within its statutory mandate against those who fail to comply," Muguti warned, according to NewZimbabwe.

Why it matters

Council workers in several towns have gone long stretches without pay. ZimCitizenNews says some general workers have waited six to twelve months for salaries while some councils bought Toyota Fortuners, Prados, Hilux double cabs and Ford Rangers for town clerks, directors and mayors, and that unpaid statutory deductions have left some workers without medical aid and pension cover. It also says councils have spent heavily on hotel workshops in Victoria Falls, Nyanga, Kariba and Mutare.

For residents, the ministry's stated aim is that money goes to wages and basic services first. NewZimbabwe reports that Muguti told town clerks and chief executives to put workers ahead of non-essential travel and personal benefits.

What we don't know yet

The ministry has not published a list of councils that are in arrears.

It has not said what administrative measures it could take against councils that ignore the circular.

Sources: NewZimbabwe (Anna Chibamu), 24 Oct 2026: https://www.newzimbabwe.com/government-bans-foreign-trips-purchase-of-luxury-cars-for-local-councils-in-arrears-owing-workers-salaries/ · ZimCitizenNews, Oct 2026: https://www.zimcitizennews.com/govt-cracks-whip-no-foreign-trips-no-luxury-cars-for-councils-owing-workers/