CITY ORDERED TO COME UP WITH NEW BUDGET BY APRIL 19

Mangaliso Kabulika and Nokutenda Rusero

GOVERNMENT has ordered the Harare City Council to come up with a new budget by April 19.

This follows a rejection of their initial 2024 budget based on unaudited accounts and absence of an Enterprise Resource Package (ERP), a modern accounting system.

Speaking at a media briefing, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Winston Chitando, said without coming up with a computerised ERP system there won’t be any approval of Council’s budget.

“The budget was rejected due to lack of audited accounts and the the budget did not address what led to the non-auditing of those accounts.

“Absence of an ERP for inflow collection also contributed to the rejection of the budget as it is not aligning with the Government’s development projections,” said Chitando.

Harare Mayor, Jacob Mafume, said Council will deliver a budget in line with the development projections given by the Government.

“We are to come up with an ERP that is friendly to both the residents and the Government.

“As of now, we will continue to operate with the budget that we have within the confines of the law and seek exemption if any issues arise.”