adminThe charges exclude cleaning, security, electricity and water charges.
There about 20 shops at the complex.
Tenants speaking on condition of anonymity said while they appreciated that they could not operate from the complex without paying rentals, the rentals should be affordable for their businesses to be viable.
“They are increasing rentals at a time when the municipality has gone for two years without increasing its budget, which has remained at $8,6 million. On the other hand, Zesa and other utilities have also maintained their charges as they take cognisance of the environment we are operating under. So why the increase now when we had marketed our shops which are housed at this complex for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation general assembly?
“We cannot move now and even if we wanted, there are no shops in Victoria Falls. Most of the commercial buildings are owned by the white community, which went into self-imposed exile when the country embarked on the successful land redistribution programme. Allegations are that the increments are a bid to force small operators out and create space for their imminent return,” said one of the tenants.
A letter addressed to the all the tenants reads: “It is unfortunate but we are all aware of the challenges that we are having as a country and how goods and services are being continuously increased. And also as you are aware that we have been under charging you. In order for us to maintain the quality service we are offering you, we have no choice but to increase our rentals to $9 per square metre with effect from 1 August 2012 and we will increase again to $12 in October 2012.”
Contacted for comment, the director of Landela Safaris, Mr Aaron Charles Tshabangu, said the increase was necessitated by the fact that the tourism sector was showing signs of improvement.
“We have not increased rentals in the past three years since business was low but now the situation is changing. We are operating a business and we cannot expect someone to operate without paying anything. The increments are also not linked to race or tribe, they are just on merit,” he said.
Mr Tshabangu justified the increase saying rentals in Victoria Falls and Harare were known to be higher compared to other urban areas.
Online Reporter