Gwanda Rural District Council (RDC) has voted to double its development levy from US$1 to US$2 per person, despite concerns from councillors that the increase could place an additional burden on struggling rural households.
The decision was made at the council’s third-quarter full council meeting, where councillors raised concerns about residents’ ability to pay, the inclusion of children in the levy and the need to exempt vulnerable groups.
Ward 15 councillor Emmanuel Ndlovu said residents were still adjusting to the US$1 levy introduced after consultations in 2025, following an increase to US$5 in 2024.
He warned that raising the levy again could discourage payments and undermine council’s efforts to raise revenue for development projects.
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“In 2024, the development levy went up to US$5, and in 2025, after consultations, it changed to US$1 per head. Now we want to raise it again to US$2,” Ndlovu said.
“Residents are still trying to adapt to the US$1 levy. We must give people time because they cannot afford it if it goes to US$2. I fear that a lot of people will not pay, and the money will not come.”
Vice-chairperson Mandlenkosi Moyo defended the increase, saying the levy was necessary to fund development in rural communities.
However, he cautioned against placing excessive financial pressure on residents.
“The development levy should emphasise to residents that it develops our places, and we must not strain residents,” Moyo said, adding that the proposed US$2 was reasonable compared with the US$3 reportedly charged in Beitbridge.
Ward 8 councillor Zwelihle Nyathi questioned the practice of charging each individual in a household, arguing that the levy should be paid at household level rather than requiring children to contribute separately.
“Back then, one household was required to pay the development levy, and only the father or owner of the household would pay. But now, when you say the children must also pay, I do not think it is right,” Nyathi said.
Ward 2 councillor Zwelibanzi Mpofu said many rural residents were already struggling to pay their rates because of a lack of money.
He warned that increasing the levy could further reduce compliance, even when residents understood that the revenue was intended to benefit their communities.
“A lot of people in the rural areas do not pay rates, and the reason why they do not pay rates is that they do not have the money,” Mpofu said.
“We even explain to them that the money they are paying develops their community, but they honestly do not have the money.”
Ward 5 councillor Simbarashe Lisimati called for clear guidelines on who should pay the levy, proposing exemptions for people aged over 60 and children under 18.
He said the council needed to establish the categories of residents liable to pay before implementing the increase.
Despite the concerns over affordability, household contributions and possible exemptions, councillors voted to increase the development levy to US$2 per person.
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