GOVT CRACKS THE WHIP!Bulawayo budget gets green light — but with tough conditions

Sikhumbuzo Moyo
AFTER months of fiery wrangles and boardroom back-and-forths, the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has finally had its 2025 budget reluctantly approved by Government — but under strict watch!
In a no-nonsense letter addressed to BCC town clerk Christopher Dube, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Dr John Basera, made it clear: “You’re not off the hook yet!”

“The Minister has, in terms of Section 47 (1) of the Public Finance Management Act, Chapter 22:19, approved the 2025 budget for Bulawayo City Council — with the following conditions,” reads the stern communiqué.
Top of the conditions list? Clean your books!
Dr Basera demanded that all outstanding audits be cleared before the year’s end, with Council expected to submit detailed monthly progress reports to prove they’re doing the work.

And it doesn’t end there. BCC has also been ordered to immediately implement agreed tariff changes, including shop and liquor licences, water charges, and property rates.
“It’s game time — no room for excuses,” Dr Basera said.

Quarterly Government monitoring is also on the cards, meaning the city’s coffers and spending habits will be under a financial microscope all year round.
Will Council deliver, or is another showdown looming?
Stay tuned — the drama’s only just begun!