The ManicaPost
Wimbainashe Zhakata Post Correspondent
RESIDENTS in Mutare have expressed shock and anger over the proposed 2.7 percent rate increase in tariffs that was made by Mutare City Council recently.
The proposal, according to Mutare City Council, was made due to the general economic downturn that has a negative impact on the local authority’s service delivery capacity.
Speaking to Mutare central constituency ward 1 and 10 representatives during a 2019 supplement budget consultation meeting held at Moffat Hall on Wednesday this week, Mutare City Council senior accountant Mr Godwin Chinaka said: “We decided to hold this meeting with ward representatives of Mutare central to inform them about our proposed rates which have increased to RTGS $2.70 per USD $1.
“Previously council approved that US $1 was 1:1 with RTGS. It was approved recently in March, since then the prices are increasing almost every month and in some instances, daily.”
Mr Chinaka outlined challenges being faced by Mutare City Council that resulted in the need for a supplementary budget.
“Suppliers have lost confidence in Mutare City Council’s capacity to pay hence contracting suppliers is a problem. There is no forex allocation from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ). Our suppliers mostly depend on parallel market among other issues,” he said.
Mr Chinaka said that most of the City Council’s projects are not yet finished because of the lack of material such as cement and other equipment that require foreign currency.
Responding to the City Council’s proposal, ward representatives raised concerns over the increased tariffs indicating that Mutare City Council should not raise tariffs because their services are poor and they are vandalizing old property.
Mr Michael Chikati from Mutare Central constituency Ward 1 suggested that City Council should reward residents with a 50 percent discount just like Harare City Council did.
“I suggest that at least you should reward us with a 50 percent discount just like what Harare City council is doing without that you have no reason to raise these service tariffs,” he said.
Mr Benson Mukusha from Mutare Central constituency Ward 1 said: “Sakubva residents are living under poverty datum line, they cannot afford to pay RTGS $2.70 per US $1. They are still in the process of paying previous debts. Raising tariffs is a bad idea.”
Mrs Mary Bandidza of Matida Flats said they are living under unhealthy conditions and it is not reasonable to raise service tariffs.
“Matida Flats is not a healthy place to live. We clean the toilets on our own. These toilets are supposed to be cleaned by the City Council. Our roofs are leaking, toilets are in bad conditions, there are no lights in hall ways which has increased crime rate in that area hence Council has no right to raise tariffs”
“I suggest Mutare City Council should focus on beer halls and raise tariffs on them because they earn a lot of money compared to us. We earn less and we are paid in RTGS. Beer halls in Sakubva such as Bako night club should pay more,” she said.
