by Staff reporter

Victoria Falls -Victoria Falls residents have blasted the MDC-led Victoria Falls Municipality (VFM) for poor service delivery, calling it to account for levies collected in 2020.

Speaking during a 2021 pre-budget consultation meeting, some residents said the municipality was neglecting service delivery, prioritizing luxuries such as off-road vehicles for senior management.

“This municipality is like a tick that keeps suckling blood without bothering about the welfare of the animal. We are tired of this management’s behavior.

“What we want to see in 2021 is service delivery, service delivery and more service delivery. Most roads in this town were never graded; they are just like scotch carts paths in villages. The municipality should upgrades the roads to gravel, it will be much better,” said a resident.

Another resident said levies like lights and education levies for 2020 should be accounted for first.

“We have been paying education levies for years now, but we have not seen a new school in this town for years, where is the money going? We have been paying lights levy for years, but most parts of the town especially in Mkhosana suburb, there are no street lights, where is the money going?,” said the resident.

The residents said the Municipality should factor in the effects of COVID-19, which had eroded their incomes, when pegging 2021 rates and levies.

“COVID-19 is amongst us therefore factor in the negative effects when setting rates and levies for next year,” said a resident, adding that, “VFM should pursue other projects even in the tourism sector to raise capital than to solely rely on revenue from rate payers.”

The municipality not so long ago leased out its erstwhile cash cows such beer halls and also partnered with private players on the Rest Camp, Caravan Park and Truck Stop projects in order to raise funds.

Observers and residents opined that leasing out these projects was a gimmick by senior management to enrich themselves, as the senior management is reportedly part of the lessee or their cronies.

The municipality, which relies largely on ratepayers for revenue, crafted a ZW$354 million budget for 2020 up from ZW$22 million last year.

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