Online Reporter
Freedom Mupanedemo, [email protected]
GWERU City Council (GCC) billed residents and ratepayers more than ZiG403 million during the first quarter of 2026 and collected over ZiG288 million, achieving a 71 percent revenue collection efficiency.
The local authority also intensified debt recovery measures during the period, disconnecting services and locking business premises belonging to defaulting ratepayers as it sought to recover more than ZiG927 million in outstanding rates and water bills.
Presenting the city’s First Quarter 2026 budget performance review at the Town House, acting director of Finance Mr Michael Verenga said council billed ZiG403,6 million and collected ZiG288,4 million.
“Gweru City Council’s revenue collection improved in the first quarter. We billed ZiG403,6 million to residents and ratepayers and collected ZiG288,4 million,” he said.
Mr Verenga said the collections translated to a 71 percent collection efficiency, enabling the local authority to continue providing essential services while investing in critical infrastructure.
He said council achieved a 73 percent billing performance against its proportionate revenue target, while budget execution stood at 52 percent.
“The first quarter was characterised by continued economic uncertainty, constrained liquidity and increasing demand for municipal services. Despite these conditions, the local authority continued to demonstrate prudent financial management by prioritising expenditure on essential services while maintaining investment in strategic infrastructure,” said Mr Verenga.
He said council remained committed to balancing service delivery, infrastructure development and long-term financial sustainability.
“Although actual revenue collections fell below budget projections, available resources were strategically directed towards water supply, roads, health services, public safety, digital transformation and capital development, reflecting both financial discipline and a commitment to ensuring that limited resources generate maximum public value,” said Mr Verenga.
As of February 28, outstanding debt owed to the local authority stood at ZiG927 million, prompting council to intensify debt recovery efforts targeting both residential and commercial ratepayers who had failed to settle their accounts despite repeated reminders.
Mr Verenga commended residents, businesses and institutions that continued to honour their financial obligations.
“Council sincerely appreciates all who honoured their financial obligations during the period. Their support directly financed potable water production, refuse collection, road maintenance, public health services, emergency response, environmental management and community development,” he said.
Mr Verenga said the local authority will continue strengthening revenue mobilisation, customer engagement, promoting structured payment arrangements for residents facing genuine financial difficulties and enhancing debt recovery to improve financial sustainability.
He said assessment rates remained council’s largest revenue source, contributing 30 percent of total income, followed by fees and charges at 28 percent.
Land sales accounted for 20 percent of revenue while water sales contributed nine percent. Dividends and grants each accounted for five percent, with other revenue sources contributing the remaining three percent.
Mr Verenga said council invested more than US$1,36 million in capital projects and equipment during the first quarter, acquiring 10 major capital assets to strengthen operational capacity.
He said among the key achievements during the period were improvements to potable water supply through the installation of additional pumps and rehabilitation of critical water infrastructure, rehabilitation of roads, traffic signals and public lighting as well as continued urban renewal and environmental management initiatives.
