By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) – Chitungwiza Municipality has proposed a US$11.18 million capital investment programme for 2027, prioritising the rehabilitation of water and sewer infrastructure, road improvements and the development of social amenities as it seeks to address longstanding service delivery challenges.
The proposed spending plan forms part of the municipality’s ongoing ward-based stakeholder consultations, which are being conducted across its 25 wards to gather residents’ input on spending priorities.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure accounts for the largest share of the proposed capital expenditure, with approximately US$6.21 million earmarked for the sector.
Of this amount, US$3.3 million is set aside for rehabilitating the main water transmission pipeline from Prince Edward to Chitungwiza, which is expected to strengthen water supply to the dormitory town.
Under social services, council is proposing US$2.3 million for the rehabilitation of Chibuku Stadium, US$500,000 towards a civic centre and US$200,000 for establishing markets at Chikwanha, Makoni and Huruyadzo.
Other planned projects include constructing an administration block at Seke North and a classroom block at Tasimukira Primary School.
The municipality also intends to improve basic services by ensuring that all four municipal clinics have doctors, introducing weekly refuse collection in accessible areas and procuring two tipper trucks to enhance waste management operations.
However, the proposed investment programme comes at a time when council is facing significant financial challenges that could undermine its ability to implement the planned projects.
According to its January-September 2026 budget performance review, the municipality had projected revenue of approximately ZiG847 million, but collected only ZiG333 million, representing 39 percent of its target and leaving a shortfall of about ZiG513.4 million.
Own-source revenue amounted to ZiG325 million against a budgeted ZiG748 million, translating to 43 percent performance, while external funding from sources including ZINARA, devolution and beer levy collections generated just ZWG8 million against an expected ZiG99 million.
Revenue collection efficiency stood at 58 percent of the ZiG576 million billed during the nine months, contributing to a growing accumulation of outstanding debts.
Receivables increased from ZiG445.37 million at the beginning of the year to ZWG698.81 million by September 30, representing a 56.91 percent increase.
Council’s financial position has also been weakened by rising obligations to creditors, with trade and other payables increasing from ZiG270.35 million to ZiG650.47 million, a 141 percent jump.
The revenue constraints have severely affected capital investment, which accounted for just three percent of the municipality’s ZiG332.68 million expenditure during the period under review.
Council has appealed to residents and businesses to settle outstanding bills, stressing that improved collections are essential to financing municipal operations and sustaining service delivery. It is also considering expanding its revenue collection infrastructure, beginning with the town centre.
Meanwhile, the proposed 2027 budget will be guided by minimum service delivery standards outlined in Statutory Instruments 69 of 2026 and 170 of 2025, covering governance, water, sanitation and hygiene, social services, roads, public safety and natural resources management.
Council is also proposing tariff adjustments, with commercial charges set to increase from US$90 to US$130.20, industrial tariffs from US$190.99 to US$277.62 and institutional charges from US$67 to US$96.43.
Despite the planned interventions, illegal dumpsites, water leakages, ageing water and sewer infrastructure, illegal connections and the need for prepaid systems for tower lights remain among the challenges confronting the municipality.
New Ziana
