Zimpapers Logo

Yeukai Karengezeka Herald Correspondent
Chitungwiza Municipality has approved a supplementary budget of $91,8 million from the previous $58,3 million, which will see an increase in rates and penalties of up to 155 percent, while basic service delivery rates were hiked by 107 percent.

Although the budget was adopted during a full council meeting last week in Council Chambers, it will come into effect only when approved by the parent Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.

Presenting the budget, finance committee chairperson Councillor Peter Matiringe said basic rates for services like sewer, refuse, fixed water and development levy would go up by 107 percent, bringing the monthly charges to $50 from $24,14.

“Fixed water increased from $3,53 to $6,58, sewer $7,60 to $13,38, refuse $4,65 to $11,86, public lighting from $1 to $2,55, fixed fire from $$0,28 to $1, developmental levy from $0,28 to $1, and supplementary charge $5,18 to $9,21,” he said.

Maternity fees
Cllr Matiringe noted that current water charges were subject to changes since they were largely dependent on the tariff regime of the supplying water authority, City of Harare.

Maternity booking fees now cost $77 from $30, ambulance fee is $26 from $10, regularisation of properties is now $5 738 from $2 250, rent for commercial shops is $306 from $120 per month.

Library fees were hiked from $1 to $10 in order to improve library services, furniture, equipment and introduction of Wi-Fi services.

Cllr Matiringe said the supplementary budget was necessitated by rising costs.
“The municipality prepared its budget using performance improved plans and has since moved away from line budgeting in line with the parent ministry’s thrust to ensure resources are channelled towards programmes that enhance service delivery,” he said.

“This has been necessitated by the general increase in prices that has eroded council’s ability to render meaningful service delivery.

“We are proposing to increase the revenue and expenditure estimates for the second half of 2019 from $29,189 million to $491,853 million.”

Income and expenditure went up by 155 percent, capital expenditure by 96 percent, employees allowances by 286 percent, basic salaries and other related expenses by 170 percent.
During the first half of the year, the council had budgeted to collect $29,18 million, but only collected $11,6 million.