Councils to increase tariffs

Chronicle Reporter
RATEPAYERS in rural local authorities should brace for increased tariffs starting from January next year with councils proposing to review licence fees and other service charges.
Most rural local authorities in the Midlands, Matabeleland North and South provinces have already notified their stakeholders of the intention to increase service charges.

In separate notices issued in the past few weeks, councils said they would increase levies, licence fees and other charges on residents, occupiers and users of properties and resources within council areas.

Rural councils such as Kusile, Umzingwane, Bubi, Insiza, Binga, Mberengwa, Tsholotsho and Runde have given their stakeholders 30 days to raise objections on the proposals.

Urban local authorities like Victoria Falls and Lupane Local Board have also joined in.
The local authorities, however, did not indicate the proposed percentage increase but invited concerned members to visit their offices.
The notices read that if there were no objections at the lapse of the 30-day period, the proposed tariff increases would be effected.

Contacted for comment, Zimbabwe Local Government Association (Zilga) chief executive office Mr Rodgers Mozhentiy defended the proposed increases.

“The procedure is that local authorities do not just increase charges on their own. The proposals are a result of prior consultations with their stakeholders.

“If the stakeholders agree that charges be increased then there is no problem,” said Mr Mozhentiy.
“That is why stakeholders are given 30 days so that they raise objections. If there are no objections the proposal would be implemented.”
Mr Mozhentiy said the quality of service rendered by local authorities was determined by the rate payers.

“Service charges for local authorities differ depending on what stakeholders agree on. If ratepayers agree to pay more for the service, that decision would be adopted and once agreed, the Government cannot change it,” he said.

Local authorities have been conducting budget consultations in the past few weeks and some such as the Bulawayo City Council have resolved to maintain last year’s charges.