Villagers Criticise “Unfair” Levy On Newborn Children

Villagers in Zimbabwe’s rural areas have criticised local authorities for imposing a new per-capita development levy, saying it is placing an unfair burden on struggling families.

For years, the levy was being paid on a per-household basis, but now the levy must be paid for every individual, including infants.

Rural district councils are charging between US$1 and US$5 per person, a demand residents say is unrealistic in communities with large families and limited income.

One villager who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said:

“This means a household with 10 children is now expected to pay more than US$20.

“They are even demanding money for newborn babies. Like in this case, children born on January 1 this year are expected to pay the levy.”

Villagers say the levy is being pushed hard by village heads and councillors, who they claim use intimidation to get people to pay.

They also allege that village heads earn a commission from the levy, giving them a reason to pressure residents.

Village heads allegedly go door-to-door demanding proof of payment. Those who don’t pay are threatened with being reported or denied access to community services and other benefits, like food aid and farming inputs.

But with harsh weather making farming tough, villagers say it’s becoming nearly impossible to meet the payments.

A chief in Chikomba District, speaking on condition of anonymity, told NewsDay he has stopped village heads in his area from collecting the levy, calling the practice exploitative. Said the traditional leader:

“It is unheard of that local authorities would extract money from impoverished villagers.

“People are struggling to survive. Many rural dwellers are elderly, who are taking care of their grandchildren, whose parents are away trying to make ends meet.

“They don’t have money to take care of such extended families, let alone those hefty levies.”

Local authorities, however, insist that the levy is lawful and supported by government policy.

Council officials say they were instructed to implement the per-capita system in line with Section 96 of the Rural District Councils Act.

While this section empowers councils to impose development-related levies, it makes a clear distinction between a land development levy and a general development levy.

Meanwhile, villagers say the levy has done little for development and has instead pushed vulnerable communities further into poverty.

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