The Chitungwiza Municipality has heeded the call by residents to offer a 30 percent discount on rates for all the senior citizens that are up to date with payments.
Chitungwiza Municipality spokesperson Mr Lovemore Meya confirmed the development.
“Yes, we have listened to the cry of our elderly citizens who always wanted to be given a discount on monthly rates charges. We are offering them a 30 percent discount.
“This is in our 2023 budget and is now a standing policy which may be reviewed by Council as and when it is necessary,” he said.
Mr Meya said beneficiaries have to meet the prescribed criteria.
“Firstly, our housing department will conduct an assessment to come up with deserving members.
“Beneficiaries are people who are aged 65 and above who do not outstanding arrears at council,” he said.
He added that a life certificate will have to be completed on a yearly basis and failure to renew would result in the termination of the benefit.
Residents have expressed mixed feelings over the policy.
Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (Camera) welcomed the noble initiative.
“It has been our wish that the council honour our senior citizens who have religiously paid their bills all these years. It is a good gesture coming from Chitungwiza Municipality and we applaud them for that consideration,” said Camera secretary Mr Benard Mazhindu.
Chitungwiza Residents Trust director Ms Alice Kuveya, however, blasted the local authority for failing to meet the major plea of the elderly.
“The truth is this 30 percent discount is a way of trying to pacify the elderly, but we know that their greatest cry has always been for the council to issue them with title deeds.
“Most of them do not have title deeds. If they are genuine about the concerns of our elderly [they must] give them their title deeds,” she said.
The Chitungwiza Residents and Ratepayers Association chairperson Mr Arthur Taderera welcomed the initiative but highlighted that it was not very beneficial to the elderly citizens.
“It is noble initiative but our concern is that on average an elderly person is getting $40 as pension which is not enough for them to pay rates and buy medication,” he said.
He said most of the elderly have arrears at the council because they can not afford, yet the very same people are not eligible for the same discount introduced.
He urged the council to review its policy and investigate why most of them were failing to honour their monthly obligations. – The Herald
