Plumtree town resident cry foul over high rates
Nkosi Sibanda
PLUMTREE Residents are up in arms with the local authority over the continuous hiking of rates.
The revelation comes at a time when the country is facing serious economic hardships with average families barely making it for the next day.
It has come to light that most households in Plumtree are waking up to unrealistic charges ranging from ZW$50 000 every month. Whilst some are even charged more than ZW$100 000 a month.
Questions are being asked by the residents over this matter as most of them do not understand how their bills are rising so sharply.
In an interview, one resident said “On 21/04/2023, I paid $33 000 RTGs but I was surprised when I went to council offices to ask for my current bill which was billed at $66 000 RTGs,” she said.
“Council is now a grief home. How can one pay nearly $50usd or more per month? It’s now too much,” said a resident.
Another resident who identified himself as Nkomo said, “I don’t know what I am going to do this time, last month I paid $38 000RTGs but this month my bill stands at $66 000RTGs” he said.
Residents also took to social media to register their shock at the high bills. In a “Combined Residents” group on WhatsApp residents complained bitterly as they sought answers from the local authority.
Ward 3 councilor, Similo Ndlovu said “We’ve noted with great concern the sudden sharp rise of rates paid. We questioned the management about this and a number of reasons were given one of those being the auction rate. We suspect meter readers might not be doing their work diligently. We’re trying to establish whether some of those bills are based on estimates or they’re based on actual readings. Bills are seriously too high and unaffordable. We have since asked for a thorough investigation on the issue and we’re hopeful something will be done soon. However, while investigations are underway, may I urge you to honor your dues monthly so that your debts don’t go out of hand,” she said.
Acting Plumtree Town Secretary Thembalami Nyoni said “All your concerns have been duly noted. Council has been advised on the same. Council will hold a stakeholders meeting to discuss the first quarter performance of the budget. All your concerns will be tabled and explanations provided. What I can advise is that the Plumtree Town budget has both USD$ and ZW$ tariffs, we use the auction rate to calculate bills. The rate changes every Tuesday which talks to the rise in bills every month in RTGs terms. The budget performance report will be shared by Councillors in ward meetings after the report has been shared with stakeholders,” he said.
