Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
THE Municipality of Beitbridge has adopted a ZiG432 million proposed budget for 2026, which will have some tariffs reviewed downwards to align with the Government’s ease of doing business drive.
In addition, ZiG127 million will be spent on capital projects related to water, sanitation, and hygiene in line with the town’s ongoing transformation into a modern city. Under the same budget, tariffs pegged in United States dollars remain unchanged.
Presenting the budget statement yesterday, Finance Committee chairperson Councillor John Manatsa, who is also the deputy mayor, said they came up with the budget after consulting widely with residents, ratepayers, stakeholders, and all interested parties.
He said their service delivery was subdued due to financial constraints as witnessed by the low budget expenditure.
Clr Manatsa said the 2025 budget had been crafted under the theme: “Enhancing Minimum Service Delivery Towards Vision 2030” to facilitate economic growth and development, which will act as a catalyst for national economic transformation.
“This is a gender-responsive budget that has taken into consideration issues raised by all stakeholders through the consultative process,” said the deputy mayor.
“Key among the issues raised were the need for sustainable water supply to households on the advent of the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) prepaid system at abstraction points, prioritisation of infrastructure development, in particular roads and sewer networks in view of low funding levels, social services delivery, and public safety and security.
“The 2026 budget seeks to facilitate economic growth and development, which will act as a catalyst for national economic transformation.”
Cllr Manatsa emphasised that the budget’s theme was premised on the National Development Strategy 2 anchored on consolidating gains made in NDS1 and accelerating economic transformation to an empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030.
He said the budget had been drafted around six pillars, which include Governance and Administration, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Social Services, Roads, Public Safety and Security Services, and Natural Resources Conservation and Management. The local authority intends to raise revenue from taxes (ZiG99 974 654,94), transfers (ZiG163 199 500,11), grants (ZiG1 620), fines, penalties, and forfeitures (ZiG1 265 760), sale of goods (ZiG159 971 810,76), and other sources (ZiG5 157 000).
“We are also proposing a current expenditure of ZiG180 218 938,71 and a capital expenditure of ZiG250 969 787,10 in the 2026 budget,” said Cllr Manatsa. “The tariffs have changed mainly on licensing after the Government directive, which removed some licence fees and capped some of them. The municipality also reduced some tariffs as requested by residents.”
He said they were expecting to carry out more road infrastructure development projects with their allocation of ZiG100 million in devolution funds in the coming year.
Acting mayor Clr Takavingei Mahachi encouraged residents to honour their bills so that the municipality will be able to provide quality services.
He said delays or non-payment of rates and service charges badly affected service delivery in the town where population growth was rapid, pushing demand for critical services.
Town Clerk Mr Loud Ramakgapola said the budget would be submitted to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works today, and they expect to defend it between December 16 and December 20 so that it is approved and they may start implementing their plans in January.
