Bulawayo residents reject proposed 74% tariff hike

Bulawayo residents are pushing back against proposed municipal tariff increases for 2027, with an online petition opposing the hikes attracting 1 266 signatures amid concerns over affordability and poor service delivery.

The petition, titled Reject Increased Rates Tariffs in Bulawayo, calls on the City of Bulawayo to reconsider the proposed charges, arguing that higher bills would place additional pressure on households already struggling with unreliable water supplies and deteriorating roads.

The opposition follows objections raised during public consultations on the city's proposed US$457.88 million budget, which seeks to increase overall municipal charges by 74 percent to raise an estimated US$45 million for service delivery and infrastructure projects.

In the petition, residents argue that increasing tariffs is difficult to justify while essential services remain inadequate.

"Access to clean, safe water is a fundamental human right, yet the City of Bulawayo fails to supply this essential commodity consistently," the petition reads, adding that residents are forced to spend extra money on borehole water and drinking water.

The petition also highlights deteriorating roads and potholes, which residents say damage vehicles and endanger road users. It warns that higher municipal bills could force families to sacrifice essential expenses such as food, education and healthcare.

Residents are urging council to prioritise reliable water supplies and road repairs before imposing additional financial demands.

Under the proposed 2027 budget, monthly refuse collection charges in high-density suburbs would increase from US$7 to US$15.70, while charges in low-density areas would rise from US$10 to US$22.43.

The proposed water tariff for the first five kilolitres would increase from US$0.70 to US$2.27 per kilolitre. Consumption above five and up to 14 kilolitres would cost US$2.74 per kilolitre, up from US$1.22.

Council has also proposed a US$100 special roads levy to finance residential road maintenance and a US$2 public lighting tariff for maintaining streetlights and tower lights.

The proposed increases are intended to fund water and sewer infrastructure, road rehabilitation, refuse collection, public lighting and other municipal services.

However, the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) has raised concerns about the impact on household budgets. According to the association, a household bill would increase from US$37.92 in 2026 to US$66.10 in 2027 under the proposed tariffs.

BPRA has also questioned council's presentation of two tariff scenarios: the proposed tariff and a cost-recovery option that the association says is approximately 124 percent higher. It argues that council has not clearly explained which scenario will determine actual billing.

The association has further sought clarification on the purpose and calculation of additional levies, including the proposed roads levy.

Concerns have also been raised over outstanding municipal bills. The city's January-to-June 2026 Budget Performance Report showed that households owed council ZiG1.95 billion, government departments ZiG1.92 billion and businesses ZiG586.6 million.

The figures have intensified concerns about residents' ability to meet existing obligations while absorbing further increases, although the outstanding balances alone do not establish the reasons for non-payment.

Meanwhile, the proposed budget projects US$188.07 million in recurrent revenue against US$327.80 million in recurrent expenditure, alongside a US$130.08 million capital programme. This leaves a projected recurrent shortfall of US$139.73 million.

BPRA says council needs to explain how it intends to finance the deficit without placing an unsustainable burden on residents.

While the local authority maintains that additional revenue is needed to fund essential services and infrastructure, residents are calling for greater transparency on the proposed tariffs and measurable improvements in service delivery before the increases are implemented.