Kwekwe reduces tariffs

KWEKWE – City of Kwekwe councillors made a milestone resolution by ordering management to
reduce the 2023 budget to 100 percent of the 2022 tariffs.
The councillors were not happy with the 400 percent increase on billable tariffs which were no
longer affordable to the already overburdened residents and ratepayers.
The local authority had proposed a US$37million budget which saw tariffs being increased by more
than 400 percent. But there was an outcry from some councillors who felt that the budget was
against the will of the ratepayers who were demanding a standstill budget.
Kwekwe ratepayers in high density suburbs will now be paying an average bill of around US$24
down from US$48.
This new tariffs will be billed in RTGS at the prevailing Auction Rate of the week.
In their position paper titled “Kwekwe mayor's feedback resolutions affecting council budget” dated
27 January 2023, the councillors said the 2022 tariffs should be effective 1 January 2023.
“Good day Kwekwe Residents. Your councillors today met as a full council to among other items on
Agenda, discuss the issue of the Proposed budget.
“Full Council resolved the following: That the 400 percent increase on billable tariffs, meaning tariffs
that appear on your statement of accounts be reduced to 100 percent of your October 2022 with
effective 1 January 2023.
“Council reserved the right to adjust these tariffs in future responding to any Economic
fundamentals,” said the statement signed by acting Mayor Councillor Pikurai Msipa.
The councillors said the proposed rebasing of tariffs that was effected 1 November 2022 has been
scrapped as it was only meant to last until December 2022.
Cllr Msipa then took the opportunity to urge ratepayers to religiously pay their bills.
“Dear residents, the office of the Mayor now pleads with you ratepayers to pay up your bills as
Council has gone a long way in listening to your pleas while at the same time striking a balance
between service delivery and affordability to pay by residents,” said the acting Mayor.
“Your commitment to pay bills will enable Council to deliver service in our community,” he added.
Residents who spoke to our news crew said they will only comment when they receive their
February statement.
“We welcome the decision by our councilors but we can only believe them when see the reduction
in the February statement,” said David Mbeu of Mbizo 19, Kwekwe.