Outcry over rates hike
TATENDA CHIKARA IN CHIVI
A decision by Chivi Rural District Council to hike rates by 100% has sparked an outcry from vendors at the growth point, Business Times can report.
The council doubled the rate to US$5 a day for a vendor at a designated fruit and veggie market, from US$2.50 a day.
The vendors lamented low business returns due to increased wheelbarrow vendors who have mushroomed at the growth point.
“The issue of increased rates by our council to sell here is just too much. Here at the fruit and veggie market we used to pay US $2.50 but now it’s US $5,” a vendor who preferred anonymity told Business Times.
Another vendor said: “We have been asking our local authority to fix our fence here at the market, but they keep promising. We look forward to seeing developments here since they have increased rates. As you can see, we do not have water to wash our fruits, we bring our own from home but it’s not enough.”
The CEO of Chivi Rural District Council, Tariro Matavire, said the previous rates were uneconomic.
