Reason Why Hwange Budget Was Rejected

Wisdom
2 Min Read

By Correspondent

Poor revenues resulting in a failure to pay for audits since 2015 was the reason Hwange Local Board failed to have its 2024 budget approved.

HLB and Harare were the only two out of 92 local authorities whose budgets were rejected.

“Two local authorities, Hwange Local Board and Harare City Council have had their budgets rejected outright.

“The majority of local authorities have had budgets approved subject to a number of issues being addressed”, said Information Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana.

Poor Revenues

Hwange has perennially struggled with funds and relies mainly on devolution funds.

This situation has been worsened by poor rate paying by local residents.

HLB administers the eastern side of Hwange town mainly Baobab, Empumalanga and Chibondo areas.

However, its councillors include those representing concession areas.

These are managed by Hwange Colliery Company, Zimbabwe Power Company and the National Railways of Zimbabwe.

The locations and their stakeholders have however not been able to properly fund their Council.

In 2021 residents petitioned the HLB demanding the release of audit reports backdated to 2015.

Authorities cited how the Ministry of Local Government was charging exorbitant fees to carry out the audits.

They couldn’t pay for them.This has led to conflict with Greater Hwange Residents Trust members.

HLB is one of the four local boards in Matabeleland North including Lupane as well as newly established Binga and Tsholotsho.

Victoria Falls City Council is the only urban council in the province.

This latest setback will only serve to worsen the situation for the embattled council.

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