By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu
Masvingo – The Masvingo City Council (MCC) has made it clear that the newly introduced monthly rates are not going to be revised as the money is needed to cover costs for provision of proper services to the residents.
The new rates are purely based on sustenance and sustainability the council has added.
The council has been in clash with the residents over the rates as residents indicated that the rates were beyond their means. Last week, Masvingo Residents Forum wrote a petition to council to revise the rates.
The council has been accused of poor service delivery in the City.
In a press statement released and addresses by the City council Acting Town Edward Mukaratirwa, the council explained why the increase of rates is necessary.
“Masvingo City Council like any other local authority is a non – profit making institution and charges for services are therefore based on a cost- recovery model and every service charge is justified by a cost build-up. The intention of the increases is therefore to cover costs for provision of proper services to the residents.
“Council wishes to reiterate the spirit of the increases now and as at the time of consultation remains the same and this is to ensure that residents enjoy clean water supply, have street lights, roads are good and well maintained, refuse is collected regularly, fire brigade is well equipped, council schools are well equipped and the clinics have adequate medicine.
“We need to raise the standards of our city to the minimum accepted,”
The MCC stressed out that the increased in new rates were approved in the 2021 City budget by the Hon Minister of Local and Public Works, MP July Moyo.
Consultations between the council and residents were made last year.
The 36 objections that were received were attended to and recommendations made to the Minister before the budget was approved.
The minister approved the monthly bill from RTG$472 to RTG$ 2 600 to cover the costs.
The council is still yet to hold a meeting with the ratepayers and residents to resolve pending issues.
