Maravi

(HERALD) Harare slashes rates

Harare slashes rates
Municipal Reporter

HARARE City Council has slashed rates by 50 percent in line with a Government directive for all local authorities to cut their rates and supplementary charges to affordable levels. Council has since asked ratepayers to pay half of the amounts reflected on their bills.

Finance director Mr Cosmos Zvikaramba has, through a notice put up at all district offices and council banking halls, instructed ratepayers to pay half the amounts reflected on their bills.

Although Mr Zvikaramba did not specify changes on other council charges, sources have indicated that all the charges have been slashed and the new fees would be announced on Friday at a full council meeting.

"Be advised that ratepayers are required to pay 50 percent of the billed amounts pending finalisation of the budgetary process which entails the revision of the original budget by taking into cognisance the changing operating environment between December 2008 and April 2009," Mr Zvikaramba said.

He appealed for the co-operation of the ratepayers adding that council would effect adjustments in the next bills in line with the revised budget.

According to the 2009 budget figures, the average rate bill for high-density areas was US$24, US$57 for low-density areas and US$97 for upmarket suburbs like Borrowdale and Glen Lorne.

Refuse collection was pegged at US$10 for high-density areas and US$12 for low-density suburbs.

Council planned to raise US$185 million, which was to be financed by residents and ratepayers through rates and supplementary charges plus other fees such as burials and vehicle clamping.

Ratepayers told the council they were prepared to pay half their bills during consultative meetings on the 2009 budget.

The finance committee is today expected to deliberate on the revised budget before it is presented to full council on Friday.

In the past ratepayers have said they did not mind to paying their bills on condition council delivered.

The city started charging for services in foreign currency last month but the majority of ratepayers felt the amounts were beyond their reach and resisted paying.

Ratepayers have welcomed the move saying it resonated with the demands made during budget consultative meetings.

One, Mr James Pande, said council had shown maturity by listening to the people.

He encouraged other service providers to reduce their charges in line with the prevailing economic climate.

Another, Mr Lawrence Mapfumo, hailed the decision but warned that council should not take the reduced fees as an excuse for shoddy service.

"They should use our funds wisely to build a better Harare," he said.

In recent weeks, the Herald Letters to the Editor column, has been inundated with letters from disgruntled residents expressing outrage at the high rates.

Mr Masawi Munyanyi complained that council was charging exorbitant fees for non-existent services.

Council has also slashed salaries and allowances for its employees in conformity with the revised budget.

Labels: COSMOS ZVIKARAMBA, HARARE, TAXATION

posted by MrK @ 4:50 PM