Rural shop owners complain of being left out of budget meetings

As a result some end up failing to pay these rates and licences, resulting in fines and ultimately closure of shops.

A Lupane shop owner, Mr Washington Tshuma, said it was important for shop owners to take part in local and national budget consultations and formulation to get a better and fair deal.

“There should be an Act which stipulates that ratepayers are consulted prior to budget formulation but surprisingly these rates and shop licences are just dictated to us.

“Some of us do not even afford the rates as business is generally low,” he said.

Mr Tshuma said they did not have to wait for other people to make such decisions for them as they had to agree figures against service delivery.

He said if they failed to subscribe to those rates and licence fee they risked attracting hefty fines and subsequently withdrawal of licences.

Another shop operator, Mrs Thandolwenkosi Mpala, said by not taking part in regional and national budget consultation and formulation, matters that affect them as shop operators would not be heard.

She said they should get involved in decision making bodies rather wait to receive already crafted budgets which would then be dictated to them.

Mr Austin Mpofu, a shop owner, said by participating in budget formulation they would be guaranteed that their voices would be heard.

He said most rural business people in the area could not afford rates of $50 a month and shop licence which costs about $260.