…‘proposed rate
hike unjustified’
hike unjustified’
Tiyani Hahlani
Some 70
residents on November 20 filed letters of rejection to the 2019 budget proposed
by the Masvingo City Council, saying proposals to hike water rates by 66 percent
were unjustified.
residents on November 20 filed letters of rejection to the 2019 budget proposed
by the Masvingo City Council, saying proposals to hike water rates by 66 percent
were unjustified.
Masvingo
Residents and Ratepayer Association (Murra) helped the residents to file their
letters of objection with council as provided for by the Urban Councils Act.
Residents and Ratepayer Association (Murra) helped the residents to file their
letters of objection with council as provided for by the Urban Councils Act.
In the budget,
council proposes a 66 percent increase in the amount charged for water, meaning
that residents in high density suburbs, who are currently paying around 66 cents
per cubic metre of water, would be paying around $1.26 for the same amount of
water.
council proposes a 66 percent increase in the amount charged for water, meaning
that residents in high density suburbs, who are currently paying around 66 cents
per cubic metre of water, would be paying around $1.26 for the same amount of
water.
Those in low
density suburbs are currently paying around 88 cents per cubic metre of water,
but they would be paying around $1.54 for the same amount.
density suburbs are currently paying around 88 cents per cubic metre of water,
but they would be paying around $1.54 for the same amount.
Most of the
residents rejected the proposed increase on the basis that council was
currently not supplying water reliably, and that the economy was too tough to
merit a rate hike.
residents rejected the proposed increase on the basis that council was
currently not supplying water reliably, and that the economy was too tough to
merit a rate hike.
One resident,
Sungano Zvarebwanashe said she disagreed with the proposed increase as she already
found the current charges exorbitant, adding that council was not doing enough
for the rates she is currently paying.
Sungano Zvarebwanashe said she disagreed with the proposed increase as she already
found the current charges exorbitant, adding that council was not doing enough
for the rates she is currently paying.
“As a resident of Ward 4, I have gone through
the proposed budget of 2019 and I do not agree with the proposed increment as these
changes are too exorbitant. I cannot afford them as the economy is not
approving and also not getting the good service delivery we are expecting from what
we are paying for,” said Zvarebwanashe.
the proposed budget of 2019 and I do not agree with the proposed increment as these
changes are too exorbitant. I cannot afford them as the economy is not
approving and also not getting the good service delivery we are expecting from what
we are paying for,” said Zvarebwanashe.
Murra spokesperson, Godfrey Mtimba told TellZim News
the organisation was fully supportive of residents’ stance as current water
supplies did not correspond with the money being paid by residents.
the organisation was fully supportive of residents’ stance as current water
supplies did not correspond with the money being paid by residents.
“As Murra, we
stand with residents in rejecting this planned rip-off. It is many weeks now with
not even a single drop of water for many residents yet we are being asked to
pay more. We are dealing a council that in August and September failed to give
residents water for four weeks and now it’s back to the same thing. Why then
try to increase rates? Can’t they see many people cannot even afford the
current charges,” said Mtimba.
stand with residents in rejecting this planned rip-off. It is many weeks now with
not even a single drop of water for many residents yet we are being asked to
pay more. We are dealing a council that in August and September failed to give
residents water for four weeks and now it’s back to the same thing. Why then
try to increase rates? Can’t they see many people cannot even afford the
current charges,” said Mtimba.
Last week, the
Women Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) presented a petition to council officials,
saying the current water crisis was a threat to the health, safety and security
of women especially.
Women Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) presented a petition to council officials,
saying the current water crisis was a threat to the health, safety and security
of women especially.
