Disquiet over rates hike
SAMUEL NJINGA
Residents in Chivi District are locked in a tense dispute with the Chivi Rural District Council over what they describe as an extraordinary increase in residential rates, a move the local authority insists is in line with updated government valuation requirements.
The Chivi Residents Association recently submitted a petition protesting the steep hikes, arguing that the new charges far exceed previous rates and are beyond the reach of many households already strained by prevailing economic pressures.
Chivi Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer, Tariro Matavire, confirmed that the petition was formally lodged on February 16.
“The residents raised concerns that the rates had grown much higher compared to previous years. This was due to the fact that there is a valuation exercise that requires rates to be charged according to the value of a particular property,” said Matavire.
He said the matter will now be reviewed by the council’s Finance Committee, with broader engagement meetings scheduled as part of an extended consultation process.
“Once this is done, the recommendations will be taken to the full council for deliberation by the end of March. Meanwhile, we have since suspended the collection of rates until this issue is resolved,” he said.
The dispute stems from a valuation exercise conducted in compliance with guidelines from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, which require local authorities to align property rates with prevailing market values. Under the revised framework, residential properties are assessed and charged based on updated valuations rather than historical flat-rate structures.
Local government experts say valuation-based rating systems are designed to enhance fairness and improve revenue collection efficiency. However, in practice, sharp upward revisions often trigger resistance — particularly in rural districts where disposable incomes remain low and service delivery gaps persist.
Residents argue that while valuation reforms may be legally justified, the pace and magnitude of the increases have not been matched by tangible improvements in service delivery, including road maintenance, water supply and refuse collection.
Chivi, like many rural districts, faces constrained revenue inflows alongside mounting infrastructure demands. Across Zimbabwe, local authorities have increasingly relied on rates and service charges to finance operations amid declining central government transfers.
Analysts note that while councils are under pressure to broaden their revenue base to sustain service delivery, abrupt hikes risk deepening tensions with ratepayers and undermining compliance.
“The key issue is affordability and consultation,” said a governance expert who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Even when councils are following statutory requirements, the process must be transparent and gradual to maintain public trust.”
Council officials described the petition as well-structured and properly presented, signalling organised civic engagement rather than isolated grievances.
The suspension of rate collections suggests a temporary easing of tensions, but the outcome will hinge on the forthcoming consultative meetings. Should revised recommendations be adopted by the full council at the end of March, residents may see moderated increases or a phased implementation approach.
