Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]
BEITBRIDGE Rural District Council has significantly revised its 2025 budget, increasing it from US$5,2 million to an ambitious US$8,2 million, thanks to an additional Government allocation for devolution projects.
This substantial injection of funds is set to transform service delivery and accelerate development in line with the country’s Vision 2030.
Acting Beitbridge RDC chief executive officer, Mr Peter Ncube, confirmed the development, saying the council plans to channel the funds towards critical community projects.
“We have revised our total budget to US$8 296 611,03 following an additional allocation of ZWG124 817 900, equivalent to US$4 992 716 in devolution funds.
“These funds will be directed towards constructing waiting mothers’ shelters at clinics, developing new clinics, building the Lutumba Stadium, expanding water and sanitation programs, and establishing more Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, among other initiatives,” said Mr Ncube.
The revised budget aligns with President Mnangagwa’s “A Call to Action” blueprint, launched in November 2024, which emphasises the role of local authorities in driving the country towards an upper-middle-income economy. The blueprint sets clear standards for revenue collection, compliance with laws, land management, and property valuation, urging councils to modernize and deliver quality services.
Presenting the budget, Finance and Audit Committee Chairperson, Councillor Luka Ndou, said it was crafted after extensive consultations with stakeholders across Beitbridge’s 15 wards.
“Our budget allocations focus on governance and administration US$1,8 million (34,62 percent), water sanitation and hygiene US$209 000 (3,98 percent), social services US$2,2 million (46,98 percent), roads US$575 000 (10,90 percent), public safety and security services US$130 000 (2,47 percent), and natural resources conservation US$56 000 (1,06 percent),” said Clr Ndou.
While the total revenue for 2025 reflects a decrease due to reduced fiscal grants, the council anticipates raising US$2,7 million through levies, fees, and service charges. To ease the burden on residents, the council has opted not to increase tariffs but will implement fines under the Advertising and Environmental By-laws to ensure compliance and boost revenue.
Clr Ndou outlined key allocations for capital expenditure, including motorised grader: US$180 000, bridge construction: US$60 000, tipper truck: US$76 800, three new clinics: US$260 000, two waiting mothers’ shelters: US$78 560, classroom blocks and staff houses: US$447 880, road construction: US$120 000, dam scooping: US$102 400 and drainage culverts: US$50 000.
“You will note that the 2025 tariff setting is based on a cost recovery basis and therefore cost build-up scenarios have been clearly articulated in this budget. Fines are, thus, robust enough to motivate ratepayers to meet their obligations to the council,” said Clr Ndou.
“The council is not proposing to increase tariffs to avoid over stretching residents, but is introducing fines as per the two approved by-laws i.e. the advertising as well as the Environmental and Natural Resources by-laws,” he said.
Clr Ndou said in line with the devolution agenda, the council is developing investment profiles to attract domestic and international investors, leveraging the district’s abundant natural resources.
“Our focus is on equitable development that benefits all communities. These profiles will position Beitbridge as a prime investment destination, creating opportunities for growth and job creation,” he said.
“We have integrated gender mainstreaming in the 2025 budget programming as it intends to continue on the course of reducing gender disparities in communities by allocating resources in gender mainstreaming,’’ he said.
Clr Ndou said they also crafted a masterplan which will assist the council in identifying untapped sources of revenue while the valuation roll will assist the local authority in the collection of rates from the planned settled area of Lutumba, as well as delivering service efficiently and effectively.
To address water supply issues in the district, the council has set a target to have at least 240 community boreholes by the year 2028.
