Hwange residents not happy with tariffs.

Hwange residents are not happy with the proposed high tariffs being touted by Hwange Local Board
during budget consultative meetings saying there is no justification for them.

The residents appealed to the HLB to justify the proposed 2024 budget 100 percent tariff increases.

“We need justification on why they reviewed the tariffs that much. Hwange is a small town
compared to other towns in the country. It will help us understand their reasoning if they tell us why
the local authority has suggested the increased tariffs,” said Meluleki Moyo a Ward 4 resident.

Another resident added that the local authorities should actually charge less tariffs compared to
those of bigger towns.

“We need an explanation as to why a small town like Hwange has higher tariffs than other bigger
towns,” said Tendai Dube.

The Hwange Local Board recently held its 2024 budget consultative meetings in Wards 1 ,4 5 ,6 and
7. The local authority also held consultative meetings for special groups such as People with
Disabilities(PWDs), business community and the women.

The HLB proposed to increase tariffs such as fixed water charge per metre. Domestic use was
increased from $1,25 to $7 as well an increase of fixed water per metre for commercial use.

Meanwhile the Hwange Local Board team argued that the water rates were coming from the ZINWA
and they had to follow suit on the proposed budgets from Zinwa.

Morrison Mafa, the Hwange Local Board Chairman, said the local authority will sit down with
councillors and revisit the proposed rates.

“We are understanding the concerns from the residents, we take it as a learning curve, we. are going
to sit down as councillors and HLB staff to map the way forward” he said.