By Andrew Muvishi
Marondera Municipality has proposed a ZWG 671.9 million (USD 25.5 million) budget for 2026, with the bulk of funds earmarked for improving water and sewer infrastructure.
Presenting the budget, Finance Committee Chairperson Councillor Hilton Chipashu announced that the allocation represents a 7% decline compared to last year’s USD 27.5 million.
The reduction stems from a phased approach to the municipality’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) water project.
The PPP will be spread over five years.
A government policy shift that cuts certain license fees has also impacted the changes.
Proposed Changes
“The total proposed budget for 2026 is ZWG 671.9 million.
“This translates to US$25.5 million, a decline from this year’s US$27.5 million,” he said.
Despite the decrease, Cllr Chipashu emphasized that the 2026 budget is designed to be holistic and inclusive.
It will address the needs of the entire Marondera community.
Beyond water and sewer works, council plans to invest in social infrastructure.
This will cover building of markets, community halls, and facilities for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
These initiatives, he noted, will be gender-inclusive and responsive to the socio-economic realities of residents.
According to Council 90% of Marondera’s residents earning a living in the informal sector.It thus intends to create an enabling environment for their ventures, structured in line with municipal bylaws.
Chipashu emphasized that bolstering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is crucial for addressing ongoing socio-economic challenges.
This will generate job opportunities, and enhance the town’s GDP.
The municipality’s strategy prioritizes infrastructure development and social safety nets, demonstrating a commitment to balancing effective service delivery with economic empowerment, especially in the context of declining revenue streams.
