Online Reporter
Ronald Mpofu
PLUMTREE Town Council has scrapped the US$12 monthly development levy imposed on residents and the US$35 levy on businesses, effective immediately.
The levies, introduced at the beginning of 2025, were meant to fund infrastructure development projects, including sewer system rehabilitation, road network improvements, and public lighting installations.
Following a series of tense public consultation meetings held between June 30 and July 3, 2025, where residents from all six wards expressed strong opposition to the levy, the council issued a public statement on July 8, 2025, announcing the suspension of the levy.
Residents had questioned the council’s track record in implementing similar projects and demanded transparency and accountability over previous failed initiatives.
The decision comes after residents slammed the levy in all six wards, with some questioning the council’s handling of previous projects, such as a failed sewer rehabilitation project. The council had initially proposed the levy to raise funds for development projects, with a total budget of ZWG27 million.
In response to the backlash, the council has prioritised reimbursing affected residents and stakeholders through their rates accounts. The local authority remains committed to addressing the town’s infrastructure challenges, but appears to have taken a more cautious approach in light of resident concerns.
“Residents and Stakeholders are advised that following the ward engagement meetings, Council has resolved to suspend the collection of the infrastructure levy for the year 2025. Collected levies will be credited to the Respective clients’ rates accounts,” read the statement.
