adminLuthando Mapepa Correspondent
RURAL districts councils in Manicaland have welcomed a Government directive allowing them to collect land levies from farmers. They say the move will enable them to repair damaged infrastructure.
Government recently reversed the 2014 directive which compelled farmers in resettlement areas to remit land levies to the then Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement, which would then remit part of the collected revenue to RDCs.
RDCs have been pushing for the reversal of the policy arguing that it was ill-advised and was crippling their operations as the mandated ministry had no capacity to execute such responsibility.
RDCs were bitter that since the issuance of the policy directive, their revenue base was massively eroded forcing them to retrench, slash salaries, trips and subsistence allowances to fund critical service delivery demands from resettled farmers.
In Manicaland, Chipinge, Makoni, Mutasa and Mutare RDCs are going out in full force to collect levies in a bid to improve rural infrastructure that was not rehabilitated since the issuance of the directive.
A Government circular seen by The Manica Post shows that RDCs are now empowered to collect land levies from all categories of farmers.
“Councils have been allowed to collect their land levy by Government with immediate effect. Farmers are therefore being called to settle all their dues to council without fail,” reads part of the circular. Chipinge RDC chairperson Cde Phenious Muzamana said they collect levies date backing to 2014. Those who fail to comply with the directive will face litigation.
“We are now mandated, and we have started receiving land levies for the period 2014 to 2018 from farmers. Farmers are being called upon to settle all their dues with council with immediate effect. Those who paid through Ministry of lands should bring receipts to council for reconciliation. It is only the payment receiving modalities that have changed but the rates remain the same,” said Cde Muzamana.
Holders of valid letters for A2 resettlement plots, self contained plot holders with offer letters, holders of 99-year leases and holders of leases on small-scale commercial farms should pay US$3 land rentals annually per hectare and US$2 per hectare for development levy yearly. Holders of A1 permits or temporary permits are required to pay US$10 for land rentals and US$5 development levy yearly. Revenue from the development levy is meant for infrastructure development in areas under RDCs.
Farmers in Chipinge said RDCs should bring meaningful development from the collected monies. Mr Edward Chitando of Daisy Hill said the new development is welcome as it would to weed out corruption. Mr Farai Ngorima of Mt Selinda said council should come up with tangible infrastructural developments in farming communities.
“Since the ministry of lands took over the collection of levies no meaningful development occurred. We are optimistic that RCs will put the money they collected from us to start new roads,” he said.
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