Gweru’s US$37m budget awaits govt approval

Zim Now Writer

The Gweru City Council has submitted its US$37 million 2023 budget to the Ministry of Local Government after consultative meetings in the city’s 18 wards.

Initially, council had proposed a static US$46 million budget for next year and took the proposal through council management and finance committee before engaging stakeholders, including the business community, residents, informal traders, non-Governmental organisations, civic society and churches.

They reviewed the performance of the 2022 budget and gave their input for the 2023 proposed budget.

Gweru City Council finance director Livingstone Churu confirmed the development.

“The budget has been submitted to the ministry. It’s a US$37 million budget as management and councillors are in agreement,” he said.

Under the proposed budget, graves at Mtapa and Senga cemeteries will cost US$50 for an adult and US$30 for a child. Cremation will cost US$100. A non-resident adult’s grave will cost US$100 while that of a child will cost US$40 at both cemeteries.

The cost of cremation for a non-resident will be US$200 in the proposed budget while music promoters will pay US$800 to use council halls.

A fine of US$135 will be paid if one constructs a structure without council approval while under supplementary charges, residents will pay US$8 for houses with more than five rooms, US$4 for four rooms, and US$2 for two-roomed houses.