FAITH NDOU
Bikita Rural District Council has been ranked seventh out of 60 Rural District Councils nationally and second in Masvingo Province, a development officials say reflects steady progress in governance, service delivery and strengthened community participation.
The ranking comes amid notable national performance shifts, where Zvimbа RDC claimed the top position nationally, followed by Chivi RDC in second place. The top ten further includes Manyame RDC, UMP RDC, Chaminuka RDC, Bubi RDC, Bikita RDC, Mhondoro-Ngezi RDC, Murewa RDC and Mvuma RDC. In the second tier of the top twenty, Tongogara RDC leads at position eleven, followed by Gwanda RDC, Chirumanzu RDC, Hwange RDC, Hurungwe RDC, Hwedza RDC, Gokwe North RDC, , Mutoko RDC and Lupane RDC.
Speaking to The Midweek Watch, Bikita RDC Chief Executive Officer Engineer Arnold Tapiwa Mtuke said the recognition is a result of sustained institutional reforms and improved systems across key service delivery areas.
“This achievement is a result of progress attained in improving corporate governance, improving financial management, and work that is being done to meet the Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS),” said Eng. Mtuke.
He added that improved revenue collection and stakeholder engagement have been central to the council’s progress.
“There has been an improvement in revenue collection through continued stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and a collective commitment by councillors, staff, traditional leaders and stakeholders to deliver quality services to our communities,” he said.
Eng. Mtuke highlighted significant progress in infrastructure development, particularly in education, health, water and sanitation as well as community amenities such as halls and engagement spaces.
“We are particularly proud of improvements in governance and compliance, infrastructure development particularly in the education and health sector, water and sanitation projects and also meaningful community amenities projects such as community halls, community engagement and our growing partnerships that have enhanced service delivery across the district,” he said.
He further emphasised that development in Bikita is driven by collective effort among traditional leaders, councillors, residents and development partners.
“Development is a collective responsibility. Traditional leaders mobilised communities in both revenue collection and community participation in development initiatives, councillors provided policy direction and leadership at ward level, residents actively participated through financial contributions, planning and labour, and development partners provided technical and financial support,” said Eng. Mtuke.
He said this collaboration has ensured that development projects are community-driven and impactful.
Looking ahead, the council is prioritising governance strengthening, accelerated infrastructure development, digital transformation, improved revenue mobilisation and continued community participation in development processes.
“Our focus is on strengthening governance and integrity systems, improving service delivery standards, accelerating infrastructure development, enhancing digital transformation, increasing local revenue mobilisation and ensuring continued community participation in development processes,” he said.
Engineer Mtuke said the ranking serves as both motivation and validation of the council’s trajectory.
“This recognition gives us reassurance that we are moving in the right direction towards our vision of becoming a council with equitable, inclusive and outstanding service delivery aligned to the national vision. It motivates us to work even harder and reinforces our commitment to leaving no community behind as we contribute to Vision 2030,” he said.
The rankings place Bikita RDC firmly among the top-performing rural authorities in Zimbabwe, signalling continued momentum in service delivery reforms and local governance transformation.
