Legacies Of Colonial Administrative Systems And Their Influence On The Performance Of Local Authorities In Zimbabwe .

This study examined the legacy and imprint of colonial administrative systems, behavioural systems and administrative processes on the post-colonial administrative systems in present day Zimbabwe. A qualitative research paradigm was adopted in the study and involved in depth interviews with 30 key informants, who were selected through the application of purposive sampling. The data collected was analysed using a combination of content, thematic, critical discourse and statement analysis as well as the QDA Data Miner Lite Version 4 qualitative data software. Key findings include that the colonial administrative system has a bearing on the transformation of local government in Zimbabwe. The current local government system inherited most of the colonial administrative processes. The study recommends that although colonial administrative systems had and still make a significant contribution, both positive and negative, to the current performance of local authorities in Zimbabwe a holistic, hybrid approach is required to address critical factors or issues affecting the performance of both rural and urban local authorities in Zimbabwe (and beyond), rather than focussing on a single factor. Such factors include economic sanctions, management and corporate governance, intergovernmental relations, among other factors.