Council charges unchanged

Talent Gore

COUNCIL rates remain unchanged for 2023, the City of Harare has announced.

Presenting council’s 2023 budget on Wednesday, chairperson of the Finance and Development Committee, Councillor Costa Mhande, said there would be no changes to council charges next year.

Residents in high-density suburbs will pay an unchanged average bill of US$23, while those in medium density suburbs like Mabelreign will pay an average of US$77 and low-density suburbs such as Borrowdale Brooke will pay an average of US$113.

Residents in high-density suburbs will continue paying US$8 for refuse collection while medium density areas will be pay US$11 and commercial properties will pay US$22 for a once-a-week frequency collection.

The figures steadily increase for commercial and industrial properties depending on collection frequency.

Clinic consultation fees will also remain unchanged, with adults paying an equivalent of US$5 and children US$3.

The same consultation fees will apply for hospital charges with the maternity fee also remaining unchanged at US$25.

“Hospital and clinic fees are substantively static in relation to the 2022 financial year to promote access to health by all,” Cllr Mande said.

“It is expected that government grants for drugs and related programmes will cover the shortfall as well as contribution from property tax.”

Ambulance fees have, however, been hiked from this year’s figure of US$20 to US$35 next year.