MPs Push for Service Charge Relief for Elderly Amid Lack of National Policy

Government has come under scrutiny over the absence of a national policy mandating discounts or concessions for senior citizens on local authority service charges. Legislators raised concerns that elderly Zimbabweans, burdened by inadequate pensions and the lack of social grants, are struggling to meet basic municipal costs.

Chiredzi Central MP Ropafadzo Makumire questioned the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works on what measures are being considered to ease the financial strain on older citizens.

Deputy Minister Benjamin Kabirika responded that while there is no uniform national policy compelling local authorities to offer such concessions, all 92 local authorities have developed welfare policies tailored to their financial capacities. He added that some councils, in partnership with the Department of Social Development, are providing targeted support to vulnerable community members based on local assessments.

The exchange highlights growing calls for a standardized national framework to protect elderly citizens from economic exclusion.