Source: Harare faces scrutiny over budget -Newsday Zimbabwe
Daniel GarweLOCAL Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe has urged residents to scrutinise Harare’s proposed US$680,9 million budget amid concerns some of the proposed tariffs are untenable at a time when service delivery has collapsed.
The call comes after Harare has proposed to increase water tariff by 188% to US$4 per kilolitre from US$1,70 for low-density suburbs, while that for high-density suburbs will be increased by 60%.
Garwe urged residents to scrutinise the budget and raise their concerns if need be.
He said residents had less than 30 days to scrutinise the budget and make contributions that will be included in a budget for the people.
Garwe said his ministry would then scrutinise the budget before its approval.
“They will bring it to us. Once it comes to us, we will also scrutinise it and polish it up so that it is a budget that is for people. It’s a budget that speaks to people’s aspirations. So please do not get scared of the proposal that came from the City of Harare,” Garwe said.
The proposed budget has come under attack for its steep tariffs amid claims it will fund the controversial water tender awarded to Helcraw, a company owned by Zanu PF lawmaker Farai Jere.
The proposed tariff hike comes months after Helcraw bagged a US$138 million water infrastructure contract which was not put out to tender.
“This is not a budget; it’s a ransom note,” said Amos Murindi, a Harare resident.
“The Local Government ministry and the Harare City Council are acting as debt collectors for Helcraw, forcing us to pay for water we don’t receive to enrich a single company.”
Jere did not respond to inquiries made by NewsDay.
However, the Combined Harare Residents Association accused the government of scamming ratepayers.
“They created a debt by gifting a massive contract to their cronies and now they are sending the invoice to the people of Harare,” the association said.
While Harare mayor Jacob Mafume has defended the Helcraw deal, council’s financial mismanagement, including a lack of audited books since 2021, has drawn sharp criticism.
Critics argue the tariff increases are not about improving water delivery, but about creating a new revenue stream for a bankrupt council and its connected partners at the public’s expense.
“Harare residents deserve better. They deserve transparency and there is no justifiable reason to hike water tariffs,” said independent councillor Denford Ngadziore.
Meanwhile, speaking during a familiarisation tour of the upcoming prepaid smart water meter and infrastructure refurbishment programme implemented by Helcraw Water, Garwe said the government was ready to drive the implementation of all service delivery stations across the country.
“We are now here to drive the implementation of all service delivery stations until every Zimbabwean is happy that I am receiving clean water, that the roads are clean, refuse is being collected, the drains are being cleaned, everything,” he said.
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