Mutare City Council reneges on promise to reduce tariffs

SYDNEY SAIZE IN MUTARE

The Mutare City Council has been accused of reneging on its promise to reduce tariffs it had hiked by more than 500% early this year, Business Times can report.

Some residents this week told this newspaper that they were still paying high tariffs effected in January.

A resident of McGregor’s section in Sakubva, Clara Nyarota, said she had paid ZWL$1,850 for the council’s rented accommodation despite an undertaking that it would be adjusted downwards.

‘’Rentals have remained unchanged at the singles section and McGregor’s in Sakubva for council rented houses and we are now confused as to what is happening,’’ said Nyarota.

 “We were made to believe that the rates were going to fall and there is no change up to now.”

Mutare councillor Simon Chabuka concurred with Nyarota.

“There ought to be a reduction in bills, but this has not happened. Remember we agreed and told the people that there was a downward revision of bills. Residents cannot get a higher bill for the month of February when we had stated that they had been reduced,’’ Chabuka told Business Times.

Another Mutare resident Aaron Nyere said: “As residents, we are at a loss as to who is resisting the reduced tariffs as agreed between the residents’ associations and the city council itself.’’

Nyere added that there seems to be rot at the Mutare civic centre.

Edson Dube of the United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers’ Trust, said the council required expertise to deal with its billing system particularly the accounts department and can easily source out such services.

“I think the city council just needs to get help with its billing system as the irregularities are just too much,’’ said the outspoken Dube.

Mutare city council spokesperson Spren Mutiwi said the council was ready to engage the disgruntled residents as part of efforts to resolve the issue.

‘’Such issues should be attended to if that is the state of affairs. I would be of assistance to link the concerned residents with the finance director so that these issues are addressed,” Mutiwi said, adding:

“True we agreed that the bills should be revised downwards and that’s a council position.’’

Mutare residents forced the local authority to make a major climbdown on rate hike after persistent calls including threats of not paying the newly announced tariffs.

The residents argued they could not afford the new rates since they are in a lockdown and most people were out of their informal and formal work due to the Covid-19 regulations and therefore had no income.