By Correspondent
Nearly 50 percent of collected revenue for Marondera Council is going towards salaries against a Government cap of 30 percent.
Details of the travesty are contained in the latest Mid-Year Budget Review figures covering January to July.
In January, the salary bill was 55 percent of the collected revenue, 60 percent in February and 47 percent in March.
In April it was 50 percent, 44 percent in May, 40 percent in July and 39 percent in July.
The situation has drawn criticism from residents who accuse council of misplaced priorities.
“For the period under review the Marondera Municipality on manage to collect 17 percent or USD $ 1 472 739.
“(This was) out of a total potential revenue of USD$ 22 073 710. 99,” said Marondera Urban Business Association Chairperson Carlos Pindire.
Pindire said council is ignoring its mandate to provide service delivery.
“Most of its revenue collection is now channelled towards to their pockets.
“The effects of the salary bill is likely to manifest in council struggling to provide basic services to residents like garbage collection, water provision and neglect of burst sewer and water pipes.”
To make matters worse for Council the collection for the first 6 months is only 17 percent of total budget.
The Local Government Ministry approved a 2024 budget of US$22 million.
However the total revenue collection for 6 months was just a ove US$1.2 million.
