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Harare budget to trigger steep rise in service costs
The Herald (Zimbabwe)
December 07, 2005

http://www1.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=251&cat=1&livedate=12/07/2005

THE commission running the affairs of the City of Harare yesterday announced a $32,56 trillion budget for 2006 that will see a sharp rise in the cost of basic services.

Maternity fees, currently pegged at $3 million, are set to go up to $7,5 million with effect from January next year and up to $11,250 million with effect from July. In October, they will rise to $16,875 million.

Burial costs will shoot up to $17 million by mid next year. Burying a relative in Area A presently costs $750 000 but with effect from January next year, the fees would be $8,5 million rising to $17 million in July.

Announcing the budget proposals chairperson of the finance committee and deputy chairperson of the commission Cde Tendai Savanhu said burying a child in area "A" will cost $4,250 million up from the current $375 000.

The cost will increase to $8,5 million in July. Burials in area "B" will be $11 million by mid next year while that for children will be $5,5 million.

Cde Savanhu said water for high-density areas would be charged at $2 500 for the first 10 cubic metres in addition to Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) charges and an additional 50 percent surcharge.

The subsequent 11 to 39 cubic metres would be charged at $5 000 in addition to Zinwa charges and an extra 75 percent surcharge.

Residents of low-density areas will pay a little more for water with the first 10 cubic metres charged at $3 000 in addition to the Zinwa charges and 50 percent surcharge. Any water use after the first 10 cubic metres would be charged at $6 000 a cubic metre attracting similar charges.

There will be a fixed charge of $300 000 beginning January. The amount would be reviewed to $450 000 in July.

Refuse collection would be charged at $250 000 per bin collected from a homestead each week with effect from January with the amount rising to $350 000 in July.

"I propose that refuse receptacles be supplied in proportion to the number of households per stand and that the charges be based on the number of bins supplied for each property on a cost plus basis," he said.

Ambulance fees will go up from the current $500 000 to $1,5 million per call in January. An additional emergency services levy would be charged. Residents of low-density areas will pay $100 000 while commercial enterprises in the same areas will pay $300 000 per month.

High-density residents will pay $50 000 with commercial enterprises in such areas paying $200 000 per month.

Motor vehicles licences for light vehicles will go up to $2,4 million for a year's subscription up from $624 000.

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