- Redcliff Town Clerk Chakauya bemoans low revenue collection as the municipality is owed ZIG 551
By Tongai Mashonga
Redcliff Municipality, Town Clerk, Gilson Chakauya, bemoaned the council’s low revenue collection affecting service delivery as rate payers owe ZIG 551,621,723.87 in unpaid rates as at January 2025.
Chakauya revealed this during a full council meeting which was attended by councilors, management, Kwekwe District Development Cordinator and other stakeholders.
Chakauya’s concerns came in response to a request by some councillors for management to purchase bulk water meters and to start the rehabilitation of damaged roads in the town.
However, the town clerk emphasized that the municipality’s ability to deliver essential services is severely hindered by the current revenue shortfalls.
“We are facing significant challenges in collecting revenue, which is impacting our ability to provide adequate services to our residents.
“You want water but you cannot pay for it, you want roads but you cannot pay for them. The finance department can only pay with the revenue collection coming in. Our revenue collection stands at 18 percent which is against our wish of above 50/60 percent.
“Through you chair (Mayor, Vincent Shangwa Masiiwa) if we can focus on how to enhance revenue collection we will be able to improve service delivery. Even when water is available noone is paying their bills.
“We need to explore alternative solutions to address this issue and ensure the sustainability of our municipality. People’s mindset should change especially those accessing the precious liquid.
“We want intervention and councillors have a huge role in enhancing revenue collection. We won’t be able to provide efficient service delivery on 18 percent revenue collection,” said Chakauya.
Councilors expressed concern about the maintance of infrastructure, provision of water and sanitation services as well as waste management.
“Residents in Torwood are not accessing portable water when it’s available,” said Cllr Godfrey Munikwa. “I suggest council should buy bulk water meters such that others in Torwood can have access to portable water”.
Works Committe Chairperson Cllr Willard Makonese said, “We are recieving water from Kwekwe City Council but it has low pressure due to turbidity, electricity power cuts, damaged infrastructure and non payment of bills which affects water distribution to other areas in Redcliff.”
Cllr Blessing Mutero said, “We understand the challenges faced by the authority, but we need to find ways to improve revenue collection and address the needs of our residents. I suggest purchasing of bulk water meters and water disconnections to those not paying rates.”
Cllr Josephine Mutamangira bemoaned the state of dumpsite.
“We need to sensetize the public and educate our community on litter, such that we have a clean enviroment, we now have dumpsites across the town,” she said.
District Development Cordinator Fortune Mpungu reiterated the need for collective effort to address the municipality’s revenue challenges.
“You must work together to find lasting solutions and ensure the long-term sustainbility on service delivery. I appreciate your hard work and commitment. You are aspiring to be a city by 2030, you are only left with five years.
“I will amplify what the town clerk said, I urge you to move together with your residents. As councillors you are closer to the community and better placed to know their needs and aspirations.
“It is your duty to inform them timeously at all stages and processes of what you are doing and avoid creating a gap in between. Creating a gap will cause disruptions within service delivery.
“You now need to up your game on service delivery as the Local Government blue print Call To Action identified revenue collection as an area which needs improvement.
“You aspire to be above 50 percent on revenue collection to be able to provide adequate service delivery to the people. Advise the community that moving from town to city involves payments of bills and also moving from low rates to high rates,” said Mpungu.
Different sectors of rate payers contribute to the ZIG 551,621,723 in arears. Residents owe the municipality 199,706,269.9 and the commercial sector 131,345,923.00..
Redcliff industrial sector owes a total of 199,946,077.80 while home industry owes 401,383.01, institutions in the dormitory town owe 18,433,677.90 while the churches have a bill of 295,393.71. Plots owe 286,280.68, non applicables contributes 4,665.07 and others have 1,035,141.79.
The council resolved to explore alternative revenue streams to improve revenue collection systems, and engage with residents to raise awareness about the importance of paying their rates on time.
