Residents call for inclusive approaches on budget processes

…as council moots 200% tariff increase in 2022 budget

Women’s Institute for Leadership Development took part in a budget consultation for various stakeholders in Umzingwane Ward 16. The meeting was facilitated by the Ward 16 Councillor Partson Sibanda who presented the proposed 2022 tariffs for licenses, application fees, land administration fees, service charges and penalties. The stakeholders present included the Resident Association, Church fraternity, Business community, Small Scale Miners Association and informal traders.

Making his submissions during the budget consultations Gift Ndlela, the chairperson for Esigodini Residents Association said it seemed the budget consultations are not being done in good faith.

“What we have seen over the years is that budget consultations are just done so as to tick boxes. We feel like the local authority is not sincere. Right now, we are seeing an increase of up to 200% in the proposed 2022 tariffs. Residents here in Habane are still struggling with the economic impacts of COVID-19, they cannot afford such high rates. If the local authority is sincere, we request that such factors be taken into consideration when the tariffs are being reviewed. What we are proposing is that the rates should not be reviewed for 2022,” submitted Ndlela.

Responding to the proposed 2022 tariffs, Martin Ncube, a member of the area committee said that the local authority needs to ensure that the budget processes are all inclusive.

“The challenge that we have noted is that residents end up neglecting payment of council rates as they say that these tariffs are imposed on them. Each and every year the budget consultations are conducted but at the end of the day these are more like rubber stamping processes whereby the views of the residents are never adopted by the council.”

“Another challenge is that citizens are only consulted on the drafting of the budget but are side-lined from the rest of the budget cycle especially on expenditure and this weakens accountability mechanisms.  Budget consultations should not be an event but rather an ongoing process with regular updates and consultations with residents. This can foster ownership of the budget and cooperation between council and residents,” submitted Ncube.

Margaret Moyo a member of Esigodini Residents Association who was also in attendance said that the local authority needs to improve the implementation of the budget as agreed with residents.

“What I have seen is that when tariffs are being proposed to residents, the local authority highlights priorities and projects to be undertaken for that fiscal year. However, at the end of the year, development stays at a standstill. As we speak right now the houses at Emlanjeni still do not have running water and toilets. We have been raising this as a priority over the years during the budget consultations. We are calling upon the local authority to prioritise what is identified as important by residents during these budget consultations,” said Moyo.

Representing the Council of Churches, Qiniso Mpofu expressed concern over revenue collection after Councilor Sibanda highlighted in his presentation that the local authority has only managed to collect 9% for the 2021 financial year.

“The local authority needs to come up with strategies for solving the revenue collection crisis. I am proposing as one of the strategies for the local authority to give incentives for consistent rate payers. This could serve as motivation for the rest of the residents. Another strategy will be for the local authority to improve service delivery. Residents are more likely to pay their rates when service is satisfactory,” highlighted Mpofu.

Nkosiphile Ncube who was also in attendance proposed that Ward 16 residents should compile a position paper which will be submitted to the local authority. He proposed that the position paper be used as an advocacy tool where residents can highlight strategies that can be used to improve budget processes so as to foster inclusivity and accountability.