Gweru residents cry foul

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GWERU residents’ associations, in conjunction with Gweru Agenda, have petitioned council over what they believe are unjustified increase in tariffs in the 2015 budget.

GWERU residents’ associations, in conjunction with Gweru Agenda, have petitioned council over what they believe are unjustified increase in tariffs in the 2015 budget.

IVAN NDLOVU OWN CORRESPONDENT

The residents groups say the 35% increases in tariffs is hefty for residents reeling from harsh economic conditions.

The petition, addressed to the mayor and town clerk, was signed by 700 residents, who agreed that the 35% increase was unjustified.

In the petition, seen by Southern Eye, residents associations denounce the 2015 budget, saying residents should have been consulted before its approval.

“We singularly and collectively reject the proposed 35% increase in the Gweru city council budget,” the petition reads.

“It is non-reflective of the macroeconomic environment characterised by unemployment at over 90%, rendering a significant lot of our membership unable to pay increased tariffs.”

The petition blasted city fathers for the imbalance in allocation of funds at the cost of service delivery.

“Council has invested significant amounts of money on the welfare of its employees and failed to strike equilibrium with residents to improve service delivery expectations,” the petition continues. In an interview, Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association chairperson, Cornelia Selipiwe, said it is their desire that council engage residents in such decision-making processes.

Selipiwe said if the city fathers ignored the petition and went forward with the 2015 budget, they would take to the streets.

“If they (council) do not heed our calls, we will roll out demonstrations in front of the Town House and beat drums until we are heard,” he said.

Gweru United Residents Association secretary-general Reward Mhuri said if the council has the people’s interests at heart, it will invite them for a resolution to be made.

“If they are a council that is concerned about the welfare of its residents, they will make a resolution with us,” he said.