No rates hike for Bulawayo in 2026

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has proposed a standstill budget of US$224,7 million for the 2026 financial year, assuring residents there will be no increase in rates and rentals.

Presenting the proposal, the local authority said the decision was aimed at cushioning households and businesses from additional financial strain, while ensuring service delivery priorities are addressed. Of the total budget, US$157,5 million is allocated to recurrent expenditure and US$67,2 million to capital projects.

Water and sanitation will continue to dominate spending, receiving nearly a third of the budget at US$70,3 million. The city has long struggled with water shortages due to diminishing dam levels, ageing infrastructure and growing demand, forcing authorities to introduce strict rationing. For 2026, US$47,5 million has been set aside for recurrent water and sanitation costs, while US$22,8 million is dedicated to capital projects.

Key water initiatives include improving supply reliability (US$3,5 million), reducing non-revenue water losses (US$3,9 million), boosting pumping capacity and efficiency (US$958 000), water reticulation (US$3,2 million), reclaimed water output (US$1,8 million), and effluent quality improvement (US$145 000). Projects to tackle persistent water losses involve replacing mains along Masotsha Avenue (US$600 000) and Pumula East (US$1,4 million), rehabilitating the Tuli–Criterion steel pipeline (US$1,2 million), and citywide meter replacement (US$700 000).

The council also pledged to maintain weekly refuse collection, extending services to Cowdray Park's Hlalani Kuhle area and other new suburbs, alongside intensified public education campaigns and enforcement against littering and illegal dumping.

Infrastructure development will target modernisation of public lighting with solar-powered streetlights along Old Khami Road, and upgrades to traffic systems with cameras, loops, and solar-powered signals in the CBD. Priority roads include Gwanda Road and Cecil Avenue. Council also intends to convert high-volume intersections in the city centre to solar power to ensure uninterrupted operation.

Building rehabilitation and construction projects include the Tower Block, Revenue Hall, Magwegwe Revenue Office, Bhaktas Market, Emkambo market, Cowdray Park and Emganwini clinics, Luveve and Umvutsha cemetery toilets, and five additional public toilets across the city. Health-related works will see the completion of the Thorngrove Infectious Diseases Hospital laundry and kitchen.

Education and social amenities are also earmarked, with planned construction at Vulindlela and Sizalendaba primary schools, a new school in Cowdray Park, rehabilitation of Mzilikazi and Magwegwe libraries, and a staff house at Aisleby Primary School. Recreational projects include upgrades to Barbourfields and White City stadiums and rehabilitation of swimming pools in Barham Green, North End, and Cowdray Park.

The BCC stressed that the budget seeks to balance economic realities with service delivery imperatives, ensuring water supply, health, education, housing, roads, sanitation and public safety remain at the forefront of its development agenda for 2026.