By Beatific Gumbwanda
The Chiredzi Rural District Council (CRDC) has adopted a ZiG360.02 million (US$9.47 million) budget for the 2026 financial year, marking a decrease from the 2025 budget of ZiG348.28 million (US$11.61 million).
The budget, running under the theme “Enhance drivers of economic growth and transformation towards Vision 2030,” was presented by Finance Committee Chairperson Councillor Togarepi Mupedzanhuna, who described it as a people centred approach to revitalize the social contract.
The total anticipated revenue of ZiG360.02 million is projected to come from both internal revenue and government transfers, with a nearly equal split between the two sources.
“During the 2026 Financial Year, we anticipate that the council budget will be ZiG360,018,270.00 (USD$9,474,165.00). Some ZiG176,897,676.00 (USD$4,655,202.00) will be Own Revenue and ZiG183,120,600.00 (USD$4,818,963.00) will be Government Fiscal Transfers,” said Mupedzanhuna.
Key components of the 2026 revenue estimates include Property Taxes and Estate Funds, with government transfers accounting for approximately 50.86% of the total.
“The 2026 estimates are made up of Property Taxes contributing ZiG59,076,540.00, Transfers from Central Government ZiG183,120,594.00, Fines and Penalties ZiG5,556,740.00, Licences and Permits ZiG18,946,572.00, Estate Funds ZiG94,248,055.00 and other revenues ZiG16,302.00,” said Mupedzanhuna.
For the 2026 financial year, the council has benchmarked its tariffs and adopted dual invoicing in both United States Dollars and ZiG, with payments accepted in any currency at the prevailing exchange rate.
The council faces a significant liquidity squeeze due to current monetary policies, which has affected stakeholders’ ability to pay debts. This strain has resulted in the council failing to remit USD$33,000.00 and ZiG3,950,073.00 in employee statutory obligations for the period January 1 to October 31, 2025. Corporate companies, government departments, and other stakeholders collectively owe the council ZiG80,437,768.80.
Mupedzanhuna indicated that the budget will allocate funds primarily towards strategic capital projects intended to accelerate the district’s development.
“The 2026 Expenditure will be premised on Strategic Projects, which will propel Chiredzi District to an Upper Middle-Income Economy by 2030. The 2026 capital projects will be skewed towards water and sanitation, road network, education and health which are basic drivers of investment opportunities,” he said.
The council plans to spend ZiG230.10 million on capital projects, prioritizing the Minimum Service Delivery Standards for water, sanitation, waste management, roads, and public lighting. Government transfers are expected to fund most capital projects, with disbursements prioritized for clinic equipment and ongoing infrastructure.
The total allocation for the Compensation of Employees, including councillor’s allowances, is set at ZiG60.54 million, representing 16.81% of the total budget.
