Gweru City Council has hiked rates and tariffs by 50% with effect from August this year, a move that has raised the ire of residents.
BY Stephen Chadenga
Fixed rate charges excluding water have been raised from $14, 40 to $21,35 in high density suburbs, while the fixed charged for water went up to $5 from $3. Supplementary charges now attract a fee of $6 from $4,50.
Most residents, who this month received bills with the increased tariffs, expressed surprise at the move by the local authority.
“I received a bill with a higher figure compared to the one I received last month,” Constance Mariko from Ascot suburb said.
“As residents we were never consulted on the move and it’s unfortunate that council has chosen to be arbitrary in its approach.”
In January this year council effected a 35% increase on some rates ad tariffs as proposed in its 2015 budget, but the move was quashed by the local government ministry.
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Gweru Residents and Ratepayers’ Association chairperson, Cornelia Selipiwe said it was unfortunate that council had increased rates at a time residents were struggling to pay their current bills.
Selipiwe said wide consultations were needed for the local authority to reach a consensus with ratepayers instead of rushing to make decisions.
“There was need for a win-win situation between council and ratepayers instead of this rushed decision,” he said.
Early this year residents demonstrated against the 35% hike on tariffs proposed by council in its 2015 budget.
The municipality has been employing different strategies to raise revenue.
In recent years council’s revenue base has taken a massive hit, as both residents and corporates struggle to pay for services in an increasingly worsening economic environment.
