Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT will be conducting quarterly monitoring to ensure that all the local authorities in Manicaland implement and adhere to their approved budgets, coupled with specific recommendations, The Manica Post can reveal.
Recently, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works approved budgets for all seven rural district and three urban councils in Manicaland, including City of Mutare.
While all 10 local authorities had their budgets approved, most had specific recommendations and tasks meant to be completed within set timelines.
Acting Manicaland Provincial Director (Local Government Services and Administration), Mr John Misi on Tuesday confirmed that all the 10 councils in the province had their budgets approved.
“All the 10 local authorities in Manicaland had their budgets approved by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. Although approved, certain recommendations were made that must be adhered to by the local authorities. These recommendations are clear, with specific timelines given for each task,” said Mr Misi.
The Manica Post understands that despite the budget approvals, local authorities were found wanting in certain areas where specific requirements were made.
For example, Chipinge Town Council must employ a finance director, and clear salary arrears by the end of the first quarter, while Buhera Rural District Council must clear pension arrears by the end of the first quarter.
Nyanga Rural District Council must clear salary arrears by June 2025.
Makoni Rural District Council was tasked to clear its salary arrears and statutory obligations by June 2025.
Rusape Town Council was tasked to clear an audit backlog and recruit a finance director.
Mutasa Rural District Council was advised to clear its salary arrears, settle Mutare City Council’s water provision debt by the end of the third quarter, and clear statutory debts by June 2025.
Mutare Rural District Council must recruit a planner by the first quarter.
Chipinge Rural District Council was instructed to complete the Checheche valuation roll by the end of the first quarter.
As a newly established local authority, it is essential to compile a list of assets, enabling the Town Board to determine its value.
Mr Misi said the budget approval process for local authorities was streamlined this year due to pre-budget presentations made district by district.
“This year’s pre-budget presentations to a panel in Kadoma facilitated easier budget approvals for local authorities,” he explained.
The presentations allowed for questions, recommendations, and feedback before final approval.
Mr Misi also highlighted a recent visit by Local Government and Public Works Minister, Honourable Daniel Garwe to Chipinge, where he met with councillors from both the urban and rural district councils.
During this meeting, Minister Garwe stressed the importance of implementing service delivery initiatives, as advised by President Mnangagwa.
Ratepayers in Mutare are facing a five percent increase in local authority tariffs for service delivery.
In a post-budget presentation on Monday, Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka said the increase is an inflation adjustment, but it does not cover special rates for roads.
“We exhausted all avenues to ensure that everyone participated in the budget-making process. The budget we are presenting today is community-driven, not solely a local authority product. While some proposals were rejected and others accepted, I am aware that some individuals did not participate in consultations and are now raising concerns.
“However, I am pleased to announce that the Minister of Local Government and Public Works approved our 2025 budget after addressing a few issues. Our tariffs will increase by five percent, an inflation adjustment that excludes special road rates. All other tariffs, except for roads, will rise by five percent,” he said, emphasising that the budget will enable the local authority to provide essential services, including water provision to previously marginalised suburbs like Gimboki.
“We will provide water to Gimboki residents, building on our existing efforts. We will engage residents to apply for individual household connections. With a primary school, clinic, and upcoming refuse collection services already in place, we are committed to improving Gimboki’s infrastructure.
“Each household, after being connected with water, will also start using sewer, and we will also be charging for that service. Our special rate that was approved is US$1 per property for high density and low density and US$5 for commercial properties. Our tariffs used to have fire, education and street lighting levies, and they will now be consolidated into one,” he said.
He also explained the implementation and use of the education levy in council schools.
“Confusion exists surrounding this issue, and we wish to clarify it. We have introduced a US$13 Responsible Authority Levy for all schools. This levy is paid by all responsible authorities, including Central Government, churches, and institutions that own schools. As a local authority, we will charge US$13 per learner per term.
“Unlike others, this levy will not come to the council. Instead, schools will collect, ring-fence, and use it for infrastructure projects and support services. We had already invested significantly in schools before introducing this levy.
“We are constructing schools in Gimboki and Chikanga. We have also supported schools in inter-schools competitions, procured computers for digitalisation, and recruited accountants to improve financial management and governance. We have also developed a management software for our schools to ensure accountability. This intervention aims to comply with the Auditor General’s report and bring order to our schools,” he said.
According to Mr Chafesuka, the local authority is adopting a new approach to disaster management.
“A new proposal is forthcoming, which the council has approved, to establish an Institute of Civil Protection. We recognise the increasing recurrence of natural disasters in our country. If our targeted partners agree, we will implement this mechanism,” he said.
He said the local authority is taking a firm stance against environmental degradation in Dangamvura and Christmas Pass mountains.
“Environmental degradation is occurring at an alarming rate in these areas. Residents are conducting agricultural activities on the mountains, including along drainage trenches near Dangamvura Mountain.
“Council has conducted awareness campaigns during the summer farming season, urging residents to approach the Housing Department for proper areas to conduct agricultural activities. However, this has been a challenge. When we remove the crops, residents replant them. We will continue to remove these crops, regardless of their stage. This effort aims to manage flooding issues. Last year, we invested heavily in clearing drainages, but heavy rainfall clogged the drainage trenches,” he said.
Mr Chafesuka said the challenge of flooding in the city owing to clogged drainage systems is enormous.
