{"id":115139,"date":"2026-02-11T12:05:26","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T10:05:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/government-approves-mutares-zig25b-budget"},"modified":"2026-02-11T14:31:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T12:31:07","slug":"government-approves-mutares-zig25b-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/government-approves-mutares-zig25b-budget","title":{"rendered":"Government approves Mutare\u2019s ZiG2,5b budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. <\/strong><\/span>The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has approved Mutare City Council\u2019s ZiG2,5 billion budget for 2026, clearing the way for infrastructure upgrades, improved service delivery and tariff adjustments.<\/p>\n

Town clerk Blessing Chafesuka announced the approval at a Press conference yesterday, describing the process as one of the most consultative in the city\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe received confirmation this week from our parent ministry regarding the approval of our 2026 budget. It was a wider consultation process and we implemented recommendations from all sectors,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The budget was shaped by extensive public engagement, with 75% of residents endorsing the proposals during consultations, while 25% opposed them.<\/p>\n

In collaboration with resident groups \u2014 including the United Mutare Residents Trust, Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Association and the Mutare Informal Traders Association \u2014 the council conducted door-to-door consultations that drew more than 25 000 residents, a marked increase from previous years.<\/p>\n

A 10-day budget exercise led by the council\u2019s budget committee incorporated representatives from key sectors and utilised digital, real-time data collection to capture residents\u2019 priorities, signalling a shift from traditional consultation methods.<\/p>\n

The budget process featured a 10-day exercise led by the council’s budget committee, which included members from various key sectors and employed digital, real-time data collection methods to gather input on budget priorities\u2014marking a shift from traditional, less-inclusive approaches.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the budget for the people of Mutare. The output reflects the views of our residents and stakeholders. While we acknowledge dissenting opinions, the consensus reached ultimately drove the budget’s outcome,\u201d Chafesuka said.<\/p>\n

In line with prevailing economic conditions, the budget provides for tariff adjustments aligned with Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe inflation rates.<\/p>\n

Chafesuka said rising costs of water treatment chemicals and the need to maintain water quality and supply were key drivers behind the increases.<\/p>\n

The 2026 budget prioritises major service delivery projects, including construction of Hobhouse Clinic, servicing of Beira Corridor stands and procurement of essential equipment \u2014 two refuse trucks, two tipper trucks, a grader and a paver \u2014 to strengthen waste management and road maintenance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe aspire to maintain a 100% refuse collection rate and uninterrupted solid waste coverage, ensuring effective waste management services,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Plans are also underway to establish a new service station in Sakubva and expand the city\u2019s ranger programme to curb illegal land use affecting sewer infrastructure.<\/p>\n

The council further intends to partner government in constructing a drug and substance abuse rehabilitation centre.<\/p>\n

Despite limited funding from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration, council says it remains committed to improving road conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal is to raise trafficability from 57,8% to 60%,\u201d Chafesuka said, highlighting the city\u2019s ongoing struggles with road maintenance.<\/p>\n

On licensing, the council has aligned its 2026 framework with government directives under the ease-of-doing-business initiative, resulting in reduced licensing tariffs.<\/p>\n

Sports infrastructure is also set for a boost, with plans to construct the Chikanga Sports Complex and Dangamvura sports grounds. Work on Sakubva basketball and tennis courts is already underway.<\/p>\n

The approved budget signals council\u2019s renewed push to improve service delivery while balancing economic pressures and resident expectations.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Zimbabwe<\/span> Follow Africa-Press<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has approved Mutare City Council\u2019s ZiG2,5 billion budget for 2026, clearing the way for infrastructure upgrades, improved service delivery and tariff adjustments. Town clerk Blessing Chafesuka announced the approval at a Press conference yesterday, describing the process as one of the most consultative in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":115138,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,12],"tags":[19],"class_list":["post-115139","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-policy","tag-zimbabwe"],"yoast_head":"\nGovernment approves Mutare\u2019s ZiG2,5b budget - zimbabwe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has approved Mutare City Council\u2019s ZiG2,5 billion budget for 2026, cle ...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/government-approves-mutares-zig25b-budget\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Government approves Mutare\u2019s ZiG2,5b budget\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has approved Mutare City Council\u2019s ZiG2,5 billion budget for 2026, cle ...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/government-approves-mutares-zig25b-budget\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"zimbabwe\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-11T10:05:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-11T12:31:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/static.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/sites\/14\/2026\/02\/sm_1770813036.973057.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"402\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"cfeditoren\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"cfeditoren\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/government-approves-mutares-zig25b-budget#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/government-approves-mutares-zig25b-budget\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"cfeditoren\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/#\/schema\/person\/068c7ab4e9634ae78ec5d54ec46598bb\"},\"headline\":\"Government approves Mutare\u2019s ZiG2,5b budget\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-11T10:05:26+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-11T12:31:07+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/government-approves-mutares-zig25b-budget\"},\"wordCount\":523,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/government-approves-mutares-zig25b-budget#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/static.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/sites\/14\/2026\/02\/sm_1770813036.973057.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Zimbabwe\"],\"articleSection\":[\"all news\",\"policy\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/government-approves-mutares-zig25b-budget#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/government-approves-mutares-zig25b-budget\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/government-approves-mutares-zig25b-budget\",\"name\":\"Government approves Mutare\u2019s ZiG2,5b budget - 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