Bulawayo council road levy usage under spotlight

THE City of Bulawayo could be collecting as much as US$3,1 million annually from its Roads Levy, exceeding its 2025 Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) allocation of about US$2,35 million with Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Bulawayo Chapter calling for greater transparency over the use of the funds.

Contained in the chamber’s Ease of Doing Business and Policy Alignment Report, dated June 22, 2026, the findings have intensified calls from the business community and residents for the local authority to account for revenue generated through the levy as road conditions continue to deteriorate.

The report says the debate is no longer only about poor roads, but also public confidence in how dedicated levies are managed.

“What becomes of the Roads Levy that appears on every municipal bill?” the report asks, reflecting concerns raised by businesses and residents.

According to the report, domestic ratepayers contribute US$1 per month, while commercial properties pay US$10 monthly towards the levy.

While the council has repeatedly blamed deteriorating roads on inadequate Zinara funding, the chamber argues that the locally collected levy strengthens the case for greater financial disclosure.

“The funding gap is therefore real and this report accepts it. But a genuine shortfall in national funding strengthens, rather than removes, the case for full transparency on the one road-maintenance resource Council controls directly: the Roads Levy,” reads part of the report.

Using the city’s published tariff structure and an estimated 150 000 monthly accounts, ZNCC estimates the levy could generate about US$258 000 per month, or roughly US$3,1 million annually if fully collected.

Even at lower collection efficiencies, the levy would remain a significant funding source, with annual revenue estimated at US$1 million at 33 percent collection, US$1,5 million at 50 percent and US$2,2 million at 70 percent.

“At full collection, the Roads Levy could raise about US$3,1 million per year, which exceeds the entire 2025 Zinara allocation of US$2,35 million.

” In other words, the levy is not a marginal supplement; it is potentially the largest single road-maintenance resource the City controls,” the report says.

The chamber argues that residents deserve a detailed account of how every dollar collected through the levy is spent.

Following a meeting with ZNCC last week, council management indicated it would provide a comprehensive response in August.

Stakeholders are proposing that the Roads Levy be ring-fenced, with council publishing annual statements detailing amounts billed and collected, expenditure and roads rehabilitated.

“If the levy is being applied honestly to roads, publishing the figures can only build public trust and willingness to pay,” the report says.