CYNTHIA NERERA (COUNCIL REPORTER)

The City of Gweru budget was approved on the 4th of February 2025. The budget stands at USD50,4
million, with a key focus on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives. Acting Director of Finance, Mr. Michael Verenga said, “The 2025 budget was developed through extensive consultations with stakeholders, including residents, industry, and commerce. We are pleased to have received input from people with disabilities, who actively participated in our budget consultation meetings.”

Mr Verenga said the budget’s main source of revenue is rates, and residents are urged to pay their rates promptly to ensure the successful implementation of the budget. He said major capital projects included in the budget are Roads ; Water and Sanitation issues, which are critical to the city’s infrastructure development.

Mr Verenga highlighted that despite the progress made, the city faced challenges in developing the budget, particularly with low attendance from women and youth during consultation meetings. However, the city acknowledges the high attendance and active participation of people with disabilities and industry and commerce stakeholders.

The City of Gweru Acting Town Clerk Mr. Livingston Churu said,

“To ensure long-term financial sustainability, the local authority has ventured into income-generating projects, such as the resuscitation of Go Beer Brewery and Go Beer farming operations, which are being mechanized to boost production”.

The 2025 budget approval process was facilitated by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, which ensured that the budget aligned with national priorities and development goals.