By Flata Kavinga
Former Kwekwe executive mayor Stanford Bonyongwa has urged the City of Kwekwe to be more responsive and sensitive to the needs of residents as it prepares the 2026 municipal budget.
Speaking during the city’s 2025 budget review and 2026 budget consultation meeting held with former councillors, aldermen, and residents’ association representatives, Bonyongwa said there was a need for the local authority to analyse budget variances and address underlying causes.
“We have one key issue that council must be sensitive and at the same time very responsive to basic needs,” he said. “I have observed that the budget presentation lacks clarity on what was budgeted for and the resulting variance. In the past, this was included in the budget, and it helped guide decision-making.”
He said identifying the causes of budget variances and developing corrective strategies was critical to improving financial management and service delivery.
Former Kwekwe ceremonial mayor Justin Mazambani also weighed in, saying the city’s ongoing infrastructural and residential developments should translate into reduced rates for residents.
“The current developments are a clear testimony of good work,” Mazambani said. “However, we must ask how this can help address some of the increases in the budget. Council is generating revenue from stand sales—what effect do these new developments have on the budget and can they help reduce rates and service charges?”
Senior citizens’ representative Jack Ngulube expressed concern that the 2025 budget does not reflect the priorities raised by residents during consultations.
“What residents requested to see in the budget was not included,” Ngulube said. “How then do we discuss a new budget? The needs of the people must be respected and reflected in council’s planning.”
The City of Kwekwe has been holding a series of stakeholder consultations aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in crafting the 2026 municipal budget.
