Vendors Criticize Harare City Council’s Proposed US$1 Levies for Emergency Services and Street Lighting
Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) have criticized Harare City Council’s proposed emergency and lighting levies.
This comes as Harare City Council (HCC) has announced plans to introduce two new levies, each costing US$1 per household, to fund emergency services and improve street lighting in the capital.
This proposal was unveiled during the 2025 budget presentation by the Finance and Development Committee chairperson, Councillor Costa Mande.
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Addressing Critical Shortfalls in Emergency Services
Councillor Mande highlighted the dire state of the city’s emergency services, revealing that Harare currently operates only four ambulances, far short of the 32 required to serve its population.
“Our emergency services require urgent capacitation. Out of a requirement of 32 ambulances, only four are functional.To this effect, we are proposing the introduction of emergency services and street lighting levies in the 2025 fiscal year to augment funding.”
He revealed that households will be charged US$1 for emergency services levy and US$1 as street lighting levy.
“Households will be charged US$1 as an emergency services levy and US$1 as a street lighting levy. An emergency services levy is a crucial financial tool which will provide a dedicated source of revenue to fund essential emergency services.” said Mande.
The emergency services levy aims to create a dedicated revenue stream to improve ambulance availability and enhance emergency response.
Improving Street Lighting Infrastructure
The proposed street lighting levy would also establish a dedicated fund to address the city’s poor street lighting infrastructure. Councillor Mande noted that the lack of functional streetlights has long been a safety concern for residents and visitors.
Challenges in Revenue Collection
Councillor Mande emphasized that the city’s financial struggles are compounded by residents’ unwillingness to pay for services.
Also Read: Harare City Council to Demolish 5,000 Illegal Houses Amid Government Pushback
Vendors Criticize New Levies
The announcement of the proposed levies has been met with criticism, particularly from VISET.
In a statement seen by The Herald, VISET chairperson Samuel Wadzanai acknowledged the importance of emergency services but questioned the decision to impose additional taxes on residents who are already grappling with economic hardships
There can be no doubt that emergency services are critical to the well-being of residents in the capital. However, what is problematic in our view is the ready recourse to taxing residents who are battling to survive,” he said.
He further argued that the council could address the city’s pressing needs by adopting sound public finance management principles instead of introducing new levies.
“It is our view that the city can meet the health, education, water, and sanitation needs of its residents should it choose to implement sound public finance management principles.”
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