GWERU – People living with disabilities have welcomed Gweru City Council’s move to award them
rates payment incentives.
The local authority recently published a notice saying it intends to register all people living with
disabilities who own residential properties in the city.
The local authority said the registration is for a feasibility study for rates payment incentives.
“The person should submit a letter from Social Welfare highlighting need, certified copy of title deed
as well as birth certificate. The beneficiary should be the principal permanent resident of the
property,” read the notice.
While persons with disabilities applauded the move, they felt the requirement of title deeds would
result in many failing to meet that requirement.
Young Voices Disability Zimbabwe director Nyasha Mahwende said the initiative was good but the
requirements were beyond the reach of people living with disabilities.
“The initiative by council is good but the requirements are too much. Most of us inherited the
houses from parents and we do not have title deeds to show that we own the houses,” she said.
Mahwende said some stay with their spouses who might not have documentation required by
council.
“Some have agreements of sale but no title deeds like those in the home ownership schemes in
Mtapa and so council should look at that requirement,” Mahwende said.
National Council for Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe Gweru chairperson Timothy Mpofu applauded
the intention by Gweru to give them incentives.
“It will be a great milestone as most of us are unemployed. Persons with disabilities are a
disadvantaged community due to several reasons,” he said.
According to the public notice, the documents should be submitted to the finance department
administrator between February 25 and March 15.
Apart from persons with disabilities, the local authority has considered offering incentives to the
elderly.
Council recently adopted a US$37 million budget that was approved by their parent ministry.