REGIS CHINGAWO IN MASVINGO
Masvingo residents have rejected the city’s 2022 budget which proposed a 100% increment in rates saying the outcome was in contrast to what was agreed at pre-budget meetings, Business Times can report.
The budget has since been approved by the government.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance director, Anoziva Muguti, told Business Times that residents will find it difficult to pay the new rates.
“There are a number of areas agreed upon during the pre-budget consultations that were left out in this budget that was approved. That is why we say that this budget is full of loopholes,” Muguti said.
Masvingo Residents Forum secretary, Prosper Tiringindi said: “There are a number of areas that were left out in the approved budget and our position is that this budget does not reflect what we agreed.”
Masvingo City Council is aiming to complete main projects such as the Mucheke Trunk Sewer Project and open up a new waste dumping site at Cambria Farm.
Meanwhile, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing minister July Moyo said plans were in the pipeline for Masvingo to have a new dump site following an outcry from residents.
Moyo, who spoke at official opening of Rujeko secondary school blocks funded through devolution funds, admitted that current dumpsite near Runyararo West suburb was now a health hazard to residents.
“I am grateful that there is progress at the new dump site. A clean city signifies a clean people. A clean people are healthy people. A clean people will industrialise. A clean people will develop and we want Masvingo to industrialise. We want Masvingo city council to demonstrate cleanliness and dump refuse far away from residents,” Moyo said.
Runyararo West and Victoria Ranch residents have since 2013 been urging the local authority to relocate the dumpsite which is closer to their residential areas.
Completion of works at the new dump site, according to the mayor of Masvingo, Collin Maboke has been stalled due to shortage of funds.
Masvingo City Council is currently developing a new land fill at Cambria Farm, 10km from Victoria Ranch suburb.
