Gweru’s US$54 million budget awaits ministry greenlight

GWERU City Council (GCC) is awaiting approval from the Minister of Local Government and Public Works for its proposed US$54 million budget for 2025, a significant increase from the previous year’s US$43 million.

The proposed budget was crafted following extensive consultations across the city’s 18 wards, reflecting residents’ priorities and service delivery concerns. However, while the council has engaged stakeholders through pre-budget meetings, performance reviews and public consultations, some residents remain dissatisfied with the quality of service delivery.

The Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) has acknowledged notable improvements in water supply, sanitation, refuse collection, health and education. However, the association has called for greater transparency in the budget formulation process. It has recommended that GCC provide key financial documents such as tariffs, income and expenditure reports, and a budget strategy paper when presenting future draft budgets to residents.

At an interface meeting organised by the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (Viset), council finance committee chairperson, Councillor Hlupeko Marufu, assured residents that the budget was developed through extensive consultations and expert reviews.

“We defended the budget before ministry officials and technocrats in Masvingo and are now awaiting approval, which may come with recommendations,” said Cllr Marufu. He noted that the council incorporated residents’ feedback, including the scrapping of a contentious proposal to increase cemetery fees.

“Residents prioritised improved healthcare delivery, better educational facilities and reliable water provision in the 2025 budget,” said Cllr Marufu

In previous years, GCC has faced challenges with budget approvals, including the rejection of a 2021 proposal to reduce rates. The council also faced backlash for rebasing its 2022 budget in US dollars without adequate public consultation.

Meanwhile, Ward 5 Councillor, Aron Mumvana, revealed that GCC plans to construct one school per year, with wards 1, 3, 5, 11, and 16 identified as priority areas due to severe infrastructure shortages.

Additionally, the local authority is planning to build a clinic with maternity services in Mkoba 16 suburb to improve access to healthcare.