As the United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust, our actions are anchored on the principles of citizen participation, transparency and accountability. It is within that framework that we want to make a statement on the increment of fees by the Mutare City Council. The City Council has gone ahead making serious increments particularly on health and cemetery charges without consulting relevant stakeholders.
UMRRT’s position
Our position is that all increments on rates and levies by the City Council should be done in accordance with the constitution of Zimbabwe section 56, section 76, section 194 (1) (d), (e) and (f)
Mutare city council must embrace the principles of democracy which are transparency, accountability and endeavour to foster meaningful citizen engagement and participation. Mindful of the economic hardship being experienced by Mutare residents due to closure of many companies the increments are unethical.
UMRRT’s proposal
Judging from the outcry of the residents the City Council has no choice but to revoke the charges. If not properly handled, the situation will destroy mutual trust and will lead into a deepening debt crisis between residents and the local authority. We call upon the City Council to seriously consult all stakeholders so as to find a common and lasting solution. The Local Authority has to find other means of raising revenue without overburdening the already overburdened residents. This could be done by utilising idle city council infrastructures across the city and ring fencing the City Council accounts.
