Bulawayo residents are continuing to oppose proposed municipal tariff increases for 2027, with an online petition against the hikes attracting 1 266 signatures, as concerns over affordability and poor service delivery persist.
The petition, titled Reject Increased Rates Tariffs in Bulawayo, calls on the City of Bulawayo to reconsider the proposed charges, arguing higher bills would deepen household financial pressures amid unreliable water supplies and deteriorating roads.
The opposition follows objections raised during public consultations on the proposed US$457.88 million budget, which seeks to increase overall municipal charges by 74 percent to raise an estimated US$45 million for service delivery and infrastructure projects.
Public consultations are part of the budget approval process, with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works requiring local authorities to consult residents.
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In the petition, residents argue the proposed increases are unjustified when essential services remain inadequate.
“Access to clean, safe water is a fundamental human right, yet the City of Bulawayo fails to supply this essential commodity consistently,” the petition reads, adding residents are forced to spend extra money on borehole and drinking water.
It also cites deteriorating roads and potholes that damage vehicles and endanger road users.
“Increasing tariffs in this already dire situation would push families further into poverty,” the petition states, warning that higher bills could force households to sacrifice essentials such as food, education and healthcare.
Residents are urging council to prioritise road repairs and reliable water supplies rather than impose additional financial demands.
Under the proposed 2027 budget, monthly refuse collection charges for high-density suburbs would rise from US$7 to US$15.70, while those in low-density areas would increase from US$10 to US$22.43
The proposed water tariff for the first five kilolitres would rise from 70 cents to US$2.27 per kilolitre.
Consumption above five and up to 14 kilolitres would cost US$2.74 per kilolitre up from US$1.22
Council has also proposed a US$100 special roads levy to fund residential road maintenance and a US$2 public lighting tariff for maintaining streetlights and tower lights.
The increases are intended to finance water and sewer infrastructure, road rehabilitation, refuse collection, public lighting and other municipal services.
However, the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) has reportedly raised concerns about the impact on household budgets.
Citing the proposed tariffs, BPRA said a household bill would rise from US$37.92 in 2026 to US$66.10 in 2027.
The association also questioned the council’s presentation of two tariff scenarios: the proposed tariff and a cost-recovery tariff it says is approximately 124 percent higher.
It said the council had not clearly explained which scenario would determine actual billing.
BPRA further raised concerns about the purpose and calculation of additional levies, including the roads levy.
The association also cited the city’s January-to-June 2026 Budget Performance Report, which showed households owed council ZiG1.95 billion, government departments ZiG1.92 billion and businesses ZiG586.6 million, highlighting the outstanding balances prove residents’ inability to meet existing bills, let alone absorb further increases.
While council says the additional revenue is needed to fund essential services and infrastructure, residents are demanding clearer justification for the proposed charges and improvements in service delivery.
The city’s proposed budget projects US$188.07 million in recurrent revenue against US$327.80 million in recurrent expenditure, alongside a US$130.08 million capital programme and a projected recurrent shortfall of US$139.73 million.
BPRA said the significant gap between recurrent revenue and expenditure requires a clear explanation of how the council intends to finance the deficit without placing an unsustainable financial burden on residents.
Meanwhile, the petition calls for a fairer approach that considers residents’ economic circumstances and prioritises reliable water supplies and road maintenance.
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