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HWANGE residents are not happy with the proposed high tariffs being touted by Hwange Local Board (HLB) during budget consultative meetings saying there was no justification for the increase.
The residents appealed to the Local Board to justify the proposed 2024 budget 100 percent tariff increases.
“We need justification on why they reviewed the tariffs that much. Hwange is a small town compared to other towns in the country. It will help us understand their reasoning if they tell us why the local authority has suggested the increased tariffs,” said Meluleki Moyo, a Ward 4 resident.
Another resident added that the local authorities should charge less tariffs compared to bigger towns.
“We need an explanation as to why a small town like Hwange has higher tariffs than other bigger towns,” said Tendai Dube.
The Hwange Local Board recently held its 2024 budget consultative meetings in Wards 1 ,4 5 ,6 and 7. The local authority also held consultative meetings for special groups such as People with Disabilities (PWDs), business community and the women.
The HLB proposed to increase tariffs such as fixed water charge per litre. Domestic use was increased from $1,25 to $7 as well as an increase of fixed water per litre for commercial use.
Meanwhile, the Local Board argued that water rates were coming from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) and they had to follow suit on the proposed budgets from Zinwa. Mr Morrison Mafa, the Hwange Local Board Chairman, said the local authority will sit down with councillors and revisit the proposed rates.
“We understand the concerns from the residents, we take it as a learning curve, we are going to sit down as councillors and HLB staff to map the way forward,” he said. (New Ziana)
Online Reporter