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THE business sector has called on the Victoria Falls Municipality to retain the 2013 water levy to make the destination competitive.
The municipality has proposed a five percent increase to the business water levy for the 2014 budget. Addressing stakeholders gathered for the 2014 proposed budget meeting at the council board room, Town Treasurer Mr Thembelani Khumalo said the increase targeted at only the business sector was aimed at curbing unwarranted water use.
“We are proposing that water consumption for commercial use increase to $1,10 per 100 cubits for 2014 from $1,02 cubits this year. What we are saying is that if you use more water, we charge you,” said Mr Khumalo.
In response, Mr Jonathan Hudson, general manager of Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, said as a resort town, and with the fact that the source of water for the town was close (Zambezi River), council should reduce water charges to industry.
“If the water costs are high, that will reflect badly on our business because we will be forced to increase the cost of the clients’ stay in Victoria Falls because we can’t really limit a client to say a bucket of water a day. It is not possible. Maybe if you rally Zinwa to supply us with raw water which we will use for our gardens the better,” said Mr Hudson.
Mr Derik Kung, general manager of Kingdom Hotel, said water charges should be lower here.
Residents also proposed that the budget include school levy for the council run Mosi- Oya-Tunya Secondary School.
Residents said council should take education seriously by making sure that the school had all the basic requirements for pupils to pass their examinations for the benefit of the area.
“Why is there no levy for the school? The school is lacking so many things like laboratory equipment and you expect the science students to excel? After all a lot of you are sending your children to other schools outside Victoria Falls for better and quality education because you know that Mosi- Oya-Tunya is ill-equipped,” said one resident identified as Mr Moyo.
Mr Morgan Dube of the Combined Victoria Falls Residents Association said he was shocked to learn that education levy had been scrapped off the 2014 budget considering that the school had so many outstanding projects to be completed.
A local legal practitioner, Mr Thulani Nkala, said council should identify projects in liaison with the school authorities so that they agree on a certain figure or amount which should form the basis of the school levy.
“We need accountability and I believe the residents wanted it scrapped last year because they were paying it but there was nothing to show at the school in terms of completed projects,” he said.
In response, Mr Khumalo said the proposal by the residents will be considered.
“Otherwise other than these minor changes, the 2014 budget remains the same as the 2013 budget. We took what you recommended during the consultation meetings with your councillors in your respective wards and came with this document,” he said.
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