Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
REVENUE collection at Beitbridge Municipality is improving following engagements with residents and stakeholders, although resources remain stretched by a local and transit population of at least 15 000 people daily.
Presenting his report at a full council meeting on Monday, Town Clerk Mr Loud Ramakgapola said collections rose from ZiG12 million in July to ZiG13 million in August and ZiG16 million in September.
“Our revenue collection is improving following engagements with residents and other stakeholders. In July we collected ZWG12 million, in August ZWG13 million and in September ZWG16 million,” said Mr Ramakgapola.
“Our target is to collect ZWG20 million each month, with a maximum target of ZWG35 million. We believe this is achievable if residents continue to honour their obligations.”
However, market revenues declined due to the ongoing Operation Chenesa, under which the council and stakeholders are restoring order and relocating small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to designated trading sites.
“Revenue flows have declined in markets because of the enforcement of Operation Chenesa, but will peak once order has been restored. General debtors remain high,” he said. “The municipality will engage debt collectors in worst cases and engage residents where necessary.”
Mr Ramakgapola noted that while the billing system had improved, over 300 faulty water meters were hampering readings and collections in some areas, prompting plans to introduce prepaid water meters to manage debts.
He added that Zesa will introduce a prepaid system for council electricity supplies from this month to recover arrears.
“ZESA has communicated that from November, it will enforce a prepaid system for council electricity supplies and to collect its debt. However, they will begin collecting after two months, that is, early next year,” he said.
On service delivery, he reported that 72 percent of residents receive water for at least eight hours daily against a 24-hour target.
“We are supplying 72 percent of our people with water for at least 8 hours a day against a target of 24 hours,” said Mr Ramakgapola. “One person should get at least 80 litres of water daily, but now they are getting around 56 litres.”
He said 90 percent of the road network was trafficable, though public lighting requires upgrading. Meanwhile, toilet construction is underway at Ha Mangvaha to accommodate vendors relocating from the New CBD in Mashavire, while work continues on a devolution-funded classroom block at Makhado Primary School.
“Work on the building of a classroom block is ongoing at Makhado Primary School. One classroom block is underway. Water reticulation is pending; now we have two classroom blocks. The school should open doors next year,” he said.
Mr Ramakgapola said land developers will be engaged to speed up servicing in outstanding housing areas. He also noted that the council has 411 employees — having lost one staff member to death as of September — and has recruited eight of a targeted 18 security guards.
“External auditors have done work for 2023 and 2024 – no major issues raised besides deficiencies in document management,” he said. “ZINARA auditors are currently on the ground. Devolution auditors are done; no major issues except poor document management.
“Geo Pomona is interested in investing in waste management in Beitbridge. The Town Clerk and Environmental Health team have visited Harare for a look and learn, and we intend to pursue partnerships.”
The border town generates at least 1 000 tonnes of solid waste monthly but collects only around 700 tonnes, with daily transit traffic of at least 200 buses, 2 000 cars and 1 000 trucks straining roads, water and sanitation infrastructure.
