Proposed Gweru budget raises residents’ ire

Gweru City Council’s proposed $54,9 million budget for 2025 has triggered widespread outrage among residents, who feel their basic needs are being sidelined. Despite a significant increase from last year’s $43 million allocation, the new budget includes steep hikes in burial and medical fees, leading to serious concerns about the council’s priorities.

The budget increase has not been matched by improvements in essential services, leaving many residents questioning the local authority’s focus. Key complaints centre on the substantial rises in fees for critical services like healthcare and burials, areas residents argue should have been prioritised for affordability.

One of the most contentious aspects of the proposed budget is the sharp increase in medical consultation fees at local clinics. Adults will see their consultation fees jump from US$5,20 to US$10, while children aged 6 to 14 face an even more dramatic rise from US$2,08 to US$8, representing increases of 100 percent and nearly 400 percent, respectively. The cost of administering drugs to children has also skyrocketed from US$1,04 to US$6 — an alarming 600 percent hike.

The council, which operates several healthcare facilities including Ivene, Totonga, Mkoba Maternity, Child Welfare, and Monomotapa Clinics, has defended the increases; however, residents remain unconvinced, citing the growing inaccessibility of these basic services.

The proposed budget also introduces significant hikes in burial fees, further adding to the discontent. For municipal residents, adult burial fees have surged from US$52 to US$200, while children’s burial fees have risen from US$26 to US$100. Non-municipal residents are facing even steeper costs, with adult burials now charged at US$600, up from US$166, and children’s burials climbing from US$83,20 to US$300.

Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) director, Mr Samuel Wadzayi, expressed disappointment with the proposed budget, stating that the increases are unsustainable and unfair.

“There are many areas residents are unhappy with, particularly the charges at local clinics and burial fees. We hope our councillors will revise this, as these proposals are shocking,” he remarked.

Mr Wadzayi accused the council of exploiting residents by imposing exorbitant fees while making it difficult for vulnerable community members to access basic medical services.

“This budget seems designed to milk residents, making healthcare less accessible for the poor,” he said.

Gweru Residents Trust (GRT) chairperson, Mr Anthony Madzivanyika, echoed these concerns, stressing that the budget fails to address the real needs of the community, particularly in healthcare.

“The number of clinics is still insufficient, and the proposed medical fees are simply unaffordable for many. The city’s healthcare infrastructure should have been a priority, not increasing charges,” he stated.