Staff Reporter
Kwekwe mayor councillor Albert Zinhanga has urged residents, ratepayers, and other stakeholders to take an active role in the city’s 2026 budget consultations, saying their contributions are vital in shaping the local authority’s financial priorities.
Speaking during a 2025 budget review and 2026 budget consultation meeting with Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) members this week, Cllr Zinhanga said while many residents engage in budget discussions on social media, few take the step to attend official consultation meetings where decisions are made.
“The challenge we have is that residents dominate WhatsApp and other social media channels discussing positive ideas about the budget, but it ends there,” he said. “When it comes to consultative meetings, which are important, you invite them, but they don’t attend to give their input for adoption by council. After the budget has been approved, they start blaming people.”
Cllr Zinhanga appealed to residents to take ownership of the city’s budget process by participating directly in meetings where their views can influence policy.
“Let’s come forward and express our minds. Every input is of great value,” he said, emphasizing that the city’s budget should reflect the collective aspirations and priorities of all stakeholders.
He added that residents should lead the budget formulation process, rather than leaving it solely to councillors and council management.
“The budget must mirror the input of all stakeholders,” Zinhanga said.
The City of Kwekwe is currently conducting a series of consultative meetings with various community groups, business representatives, and residents as part of efforts to ensure transparency and inclusivity in the preparation of the 2026 municipal budget.
