TellZim reporter
Residents representative group Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) has written a letter to Masvingo City Council demanding justification over decision by the latter to rebase tariffs in foreign currency failure to which the former will take the legal route for redress.
In a letter dated July 12, 2022 undersigned by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights through Mudisi and Shumba Legal Practitioners, MURRA instructed council to provide proof on the rebasing which they said is illegal.
“In the circumstances, we are instructed to demand as we hereby do, that you furnish us with proof of any legal basis for rebasing the 2022 tariffs for City of Masvingo, failure of which we have been instructed to institute legal action without further notice to you.
“There is no provision for rebasing of a budget under the said laws. Furthermore, our client instructs that the approved 2022 budget does not contain any provision allowing for rebasing and to that extent, the rebasing of 2022 tariffs has no basis,” read part of the letter.
The letter further highlighted the flaws on part of council in the event they demand payment of rates in foreign currency which they feel is against the law.
“We are further instructed that City of Masvingo has been demanding payment from some of its services strictly in foreign currency despite the clear provisions of the law penalizing refusal to accept Zimbabwean dollar tendered as payment for services.
“We wish to advise that the rebasing of the 2022 tariffs in United States dollars is contrary to the clear provisions of Section 288 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:03) as read with Section 47 of the Public Finance Management Act,” added part of the letter.
Contacted for comment on the matter on July 14, Masvingo Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa declined receiving the letter despite this publication having in possession a copy with a council stamp dated July 14 acknowledging receipt of the letter.
“I have not seen the letter yet,” said Eng. Mukaratirwa.
Masvingo City Council with immediate effect in June took the decision to rebase tariffs in United States dollars as a way of cushioning revenue from effects of inflation, using January 2022 forex exchange rates, when the council 2022 budget was approved.
The local authority cited expenses on necessities like fuel, water treatment chemicals and equipment spares as the main reason behind the move.
