By Lovemore Chazingwa
In a bid to raise US$2 million required for the Blue Ranges Waterworks Solar Project, City of Kadoma has proposed to charge residents an outrageous once off solar levy.
The minimum levy is US$100 rising to US$200 per every premise within its jurisdiction.
According to Council the solar levy is targeted at all residential and commercial premises.
It says the levy is justified as residents will be the beneficiaries.
“The 2026 budget supports infrastructure rehabilitation and new projects totalling 54 percent of the total.
“Forty-six percent covers recurrent expenditure to meet minimum service delivery standards.
“Most urgent is solarization funded by a proposed US$100 and US$120 per high density and low density property respectively.
“Commercials levy is proposed at US$200 while higher water consumers are expected to contribute more,” said council in its proposed 2026 budget draft.
The levy is pegged among main revenue sources for the city beginning this January.
Resistance From Residents
However, analysts point out that there is a likelihood of concerted resistance on the part of residents and business considering multiple taxes and levies already straining them.
“This solar levy by City of Kadoma is bound to face a strong combined resistance from the public.
“Considering general economic challenges facing our broader economy.
“They are already saddled by multiple taxes and levies feeding off their incomes or revenues.
“In the foregoing, introducing this levy may trigger resistance,” said a local authority analyst who preferred anonymity.
Use of New Levy
The levy is meant to be the main fund for the capital solar project.
“Council hopes this will in turn ease water supply woes and sewer service bottlenecks long dogging the city.
A sustainable water and sewer systems turnaround strategy for the struggling City of Kadoma is overdue.
The introduction of this solar project, to be completed by June this year, will likely end the challenge.
Blue Ranges Waterworks and its water sources Pasi and Claw dams have had serious power challenges for years.
This has made portable water supply and sewer system management a challenge.
Previous efforts to raise funds for the upgrades have failed to bear fruits.
Central government austerity measures have also put pressure on the local authority as sources of funding got fewer.
In June 2025, Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe tightened screws on councils at the Annual Councilors Indaba in Bulawayo.
This has reduced the leverage of Councils intending to acquire funding support.
