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Conrad Mupesa Herald Correspondent
Service delivery and security in Karoi Town have improved after council used its devolution funds to acquire a brand new tractor and install solar street lights.

Speaking to The Herald recently, Karoi Town Council chairperson Councillor Abel Matsika said they were using the tractor to transport water for public toilets, mow the grass, as well as collect refuse.

“We have so far installed solar lights along a section of the Harare-Chirundu Highway that cuts across the town, and our aim is to move to all the high-density shopping centres and main bus terminus in the old Chikangwe High Density suburb” he said.

“Devolution has come in earnest, and this shows that Government is walking the talk. We are grateful for the funds.”

It was not immediately clear from the council’s finance department how much the town got from central Government, but Clr Matsika said they had used all of it.

Karoi Town Council has been battling to recover over $6 million it is owed by ratepayers since most rely on earnings from farming, which is seasonal.

Low revenue collection has resulted in poor service delivery and failure by council to pay its workers.

Council workers have gone for over two years without salaries.