It seeks to raise charges of key services by an average 45 percent. The fixed water charge will jump from $3 to $5 while use of a cubic meter of the precious liquid will climb from $0.60 to $0.80.
Shop license application fees will jump from $20 to $100, taxi driver licenses from $40 to $60 and those for commuter omnibuses from $30 to $60. Vendors fees will be doubled from $10 to $20.
Shepherd Museve, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Sector, said the proposed increases were retrogressive.
“Council should encourage people to venture into businesses so that they are able to battle tough times while also remitting fair dues to improve service delivery. The proposed increases will just scare away potential entrepreneurs. Something must be done,” he said.
Chairperson of the Gweru Residents and Rate Payers’ Association, Cornelia Selipiwe, said he would campaign to have the proposed budget blocked.
Reward Mhuri, the secretary-general of the Gweru United Residents’ Association, asked why council was not planning to reduce salaries and allowances to the lawful 30 percent tally of the total expenditure budget.
“Council is proposing to raise its bill of salaries and wages from $13 million to $15 million, which is 42 percent of the total expenditure budget. The law says they should take 30 percent. So why do they want to squeeze hard earned money from us while fattening their wallets outside the slaws?” he said.
“There are buildings that were erected by donors in places like Mambo and Ascot for purposes of small scale businesses but the people failed to utilise them. So why not rent them out and raise money?” asked Mhuri.
Council finance director Mwedzi defended the plan, saying “We need to purchase crucial equipment to improve service delivery. We also want to revamp the water system by upgrading one of our supply plants. Sewer rehabilitation is another priority.”
Post published in: Business