Faith Ndou
GUTU-Gutu Rural District Council has set an ambitious ZwG 137.5 million budget for 2026 with Finance Chairperson Councillor Ticharwa Kagu announcing a raft of new revenue enhancement measures to counter shrinking government grants, ballooning ratepayer debts and stalled capital projects.
Presenting the 2026 budget statement to full council, Cllr Kagu acknowledged the financial hurdles confronting the local authority noting that arrears recovery through legal means had delivered minimal progress.
He said council was now adopting alternative strategies to boost its revenue inflows and ensure budget plans translate into tangible development outcomes.
Despite being allocated ZWG 186.4 million in devolution funds for 2025, Gutu RDC did not receive a single disbursement, a setback that stalled major projects such as the completion of Makumbe Clinic (now 90% done), procurement of a water drill rig, a motorised grader and a tipper truck.
Cllr Kagu, however, applauded government for procuring a fire tender under the devolution programme saying it had enabled the establishment of a Fire and Disaster Response Department that not only protects lives and property but also generates income for council.
The council’s reliance on ZINARA funding also exposed its vulnerabilities of the ZWG 7.6 million allocated for road works, Gutu RDC received only ZWG 1.5 million along with 10 000 litres of fuel.
The finance chairperson said such inconsistencies underscored the urgent need for the authority to strengthen its own revenue capacity.
From its 2025 own revenue budget of ZWG 103.2 million, council had targeted to collect 75% (ZWG 77.4 million) by 30 September but had only managed 53% (ZWG 41.1 million). To close the gap, Gutu RDC partnered with ZIMRA in a blitz revenue collection exercise targeting defaulting ratepayers.
Despite financial constraints, council managed to complete and furnish a classroom block at Gorondondo in Gutu South, purchase 53 motorbikes for councillors and acquire new boardroom furniture. However, key projects such as the installation of Mupandawana street lights, servicing of Chomfuli Extension stands and procurement of five service vehicles remain outstanding.
Cllr Kagu outlined several revenue enhancemen strategies already adopted including the deployment of Ward Monitors to identify and promote revenue streams at community level, an approach borrowed from Chivi District.
The Council is also issuing electronic reminders to ratepayers holding debt engagement meetings through local leadership, pursuing legal action against persistent defaulters and working to operationalise 27 newly approved by-laws. However, gazetting the by-laws requires ZWG 81 000 which council is yet to raise.
As of 30 September, Gutu RDC was owed ZWG 210.8 million across various categories including user charges, land sales, lease rentals, development levies, licences and permits. Several recovery strategies are underway as council seeks to strengthen its financial position.
Modernisation is also central to council’s revenue drive. Gutu RDC has adopted the Local Authorities Digital System (LADS) and is planning a full transition to an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Modules already in place include Notification Management, Building Control and Lease Tracking.
In 2026, additional systems will be rolled out covering land management, fleet, cemeteries, cessions, ward profiling, stand allocation, waiting lists, business licensing and asset management.
While employee salaries are up to date, council still owes ZWG 768 000 in backdated salary adjustments and ZWG 8.6 million to statutory bodies.
Under the 2026 theme, “Delivering Value, Enhancing Lives,” the council has proposed ZWG 12 million in anticipated grants and ZWG 125.5 million in own revenue. Rates will remain largely unchanged from 2025, except for newly introduced charges.
Planned projects for the coming year include constructing three classroom blocks at various schools, procuring seven service vehicles, surfacing roads in the Old Location, installing street lights in Mupandawana and upgrading Makombo Stadium to required standards.
