MARONDERA – RESIDENTS and the business community in Marondera Urban have
rejected the 2023 budget that was tabled by the local authority.
In a letter dated November 24, 2022, which this publication is in possession of, but addressed
to the Acting Town Clerk and copied to the Mayor, Councillor Simbarashe Nyahuye, District
Development Co-ordinator Clemence Masawi and Local Housing Minister July Moyo, the
business community and residents’ associations cited reasons for their objections to the
budget.
“No proper and correct procedures with respective to residents and stakeholders. Their
intended inputs were, therefore, not considered to be important Previous budget review and
expenditure priorities should be clearly considered to enable (the) 2023 budget to show
improved service delivery.
“For example, it is better to provide fuel for refuse removal trucks first before some Directors
could withdraw 450 litres per month each for their private use. All income-generating
projects are not included in the budget. In fact, farm project, timber sales and how Estates
account are performing is shrouded in the budget.
“We feel that council should be accountable, honest and transparent in their actions and in
line with its mandate. We need to re-look at dollarised tariffs, which are not in tandem with
RTGS amounts and inflationary functions,” the letter reads in part.
Organisations that co-authored the budget objection letter are Marondera Urban Business
Association (MUBA), Marondera Residents’ Open Forum (MAROF), Marondera Urban
Business Forum (MUBF) and the Marondera Residents and Ratepayers’ Association
(MPPRA).
Efforts to get a comment from the local authority were fruitless as the Acting Town Clerk,
Rinashe Nyamuzihwa, was not picking his phone.
The latest development comes at a time the council has been failing to provide efficient
service delivery.
Without consulting residents weeks ago, the council flighted an advert advising them and
other ratepayers that the budget had already been crafted and was ready for inspection.
“Notice is hereby given in terms of Sections 218 & 219 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter
29:15) and Section 47 of the Public Finance Management Act (Chapter 22:19) that the
Municipality of Marondera has commenced its budget consultation processes for 2023
financial year and the standstill tariff structure.
“Proposals on capital and revenue expenditures and the tariff structure are available for
inspection from Council’s Main Office (Civic Centre) during normal working hours. Any
ratepayer with contributions or objections to the tariffs can lodge his /her objection in writing

to the Town Clerk, not later than 30 days from the first publication of this notice,” reads the
council announcement concerning the budget consultations.