Martin Muleya
MUTARE-The City of Mutare has embarked on budget consultations with it’s over 200,000 residents, a move aimed at ensuring inclusive and sustainable financial planning FOR 2026.
As of June 2025, the local authority had billed ZWG666, 653, 934.00, managing to collect ZWG454, 415, 326.00, reflecting a collection efficiency of 68.16%.
City of Mutare Town Clerk Blessing Chafesuka highlighted during a media briefing last Friday that the local authority was targeting a wide and objective budget consultations where development issues will top the agenda.
“We are in the budgeting season. From these consultations we will table the outcome before the Minister of Local Government for approval. We started these consultations in September and we want to widen our consultations to residents of the city. We have set a target to reach more than 200 000 residents.
“This year we have also decided to have door to door consultations and this exercise will be led by United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust (UMRRT). This is a new strategy we are trying to implement so we have more views from people in Mutare,” said Chafesuka.
Despite not receiving grants from devolution funds, Mutare City Council has achieved significant milestones, showcasing good corporate governance. Key projects completed include the delivery of a multi-purpose fire ladder, procurement of over 4,000 water meters, acquisition of three buses for sports development, and resealing of Simon Mazorodze Road at a cost of US$1.4 million. Additionally, a sixth classroom was constructed at Gimboki Primary School, and the council now boasts nine utility vehicles and a water bowser.
“During last census it was noted that we have a shortage of 49 schools unfortunately most of the land designed for schools construction has already been used for other purposes. So far we have space to accommodate 10 schools, which is a crisis. In the same vein our appeal is for residents to reconsider dropping the education levy which will be replaced by the Responsible authority levy. As council in the last 4years we have managed to build four schools,” he added.
Sports development has also seen significant investment, with US$475, 547.64 spent on Sakubva Stadium, Sakubva Swimming Pool renovations, and other sports-related costs. The local authority collected US$430, 935.00 in the first half of the year for the roads special rate tariff, reflecting a collection efficiency of 26.35%.
The introduction of the Responsible Authority levy in the 2025 budget year has seen US$182, 334.90 being collected across seven schools, with 100% of funds earmarked for school infrastructure development projects.
“Responsible authority levy is for students to pay for the development of the school. We want to empower our schools and give confidence to parents that their monies are being used in a transparent manner. We want, through this levy to close the gap of shortage of schools. Through this levy we hope we can afford to build a school every year and close the gap,” declared Chafesuka.
However, the council faces challenges, including non-payment of bills by government departments and Mutasa Rural District Council, totaling US$2,400,000.00 and US$983,000.00, respectively. Delays in procurement processes and the proliferation of illegal vending have also impacted operations.
With no disbursements received from devolution funds, projects worth US$1, 517, 261.11 remain unfunded, including key water and sanitation initiatives. Inflationary pressures, with USD inflation standing at 14.2% as of August 2025, have significantly impacted service delivery, prompting the need for a tariff review to ensure financial sustainability.
A minimum tariff adjustment of 14.2% is proposed to cushion the city against escalating operational expenses and ensure continued delivery of efficient municipal services.
