Harare to scrap fixed water charge, interest charges on debts

Harare City Council will scrap fixed water charges for high and low density suburbs if the $319,5 million budget that was tabled yesterday is approved. The local governing authority plans to scrap interest charges on debts held by residents once they agree payment plans.

Presenting the budget at Town House yesterday, finance and development committee chairperson councillor Luckson Mukunguma also proposed a reduction of industrial and commercial fixed water charges to $25 from $50. Council will not review hospital charges for adults and children which stand at $10 and $5 respectively. It is also proposing that patients should pay $150 for a Caesarean operation which is currently offered for free at council hospitals.

Last year, Council proposed a $448 million budget for 2017 which Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere rejected, saying it was too high and unrealistic. He then approved a revised budget of $328,2 million after the local authority trimmed it.