Where’s the Water Money Going? As the Bulawayo City Council water shortage situation continues to deepen, questions are beginning to arise over the City’s US$1 per household per month special water levy and whether it’s truly being used to fix the City’s crumbling water infrastructure.
In the minutes of the 3,399th meeting of the City Council, Bulawayo councillors raised serious concerns about the transparency and strategic use of the US$1 special water levy and demanded clarity on the use, purpose, and future of the levy.
The Chairperson of the Future Water Supplies and Water Action Committee questioned whether the levy could be ringfenced specifically for repairing water leaks, citing the city’s ongoing struggle to secure adequate funding for such repairs. Other councillors supported the call for clearer financial accountability, with suggestions that Council should formally recommend ringfencing the levy to ensure it is used exclusively for leak repairs and infrastructure rehabilitation. The Deputy Mayor expressed concern over the lack of a clear plan guiding the levy’s implementation and called for a comprehensive review of its original purpose and expenditure to date.
In response, the Assistant Director of Water and Sanitation confirmed that the current budget earmarks the levy for non-revenue water initiatives. He noted that the department has proposed allocating a specific portion of the levy to expand activities in this area. The Acting Chamber Secretary added that the levy was also intended to support the repair of aging infrastructure, but emphasized the need to clearly define which types of infrastructure qualify for funding. She recommended that all related projects be fully integrated into the 2026 procurement plan to ensure strategic alignment and effective use of resources.
A Levy Without a Ledger?
The debate raises critical questions about transparency, accountability, and public trust. Residents agreed to paying extra through the special levy with hope it will address immediate water issues. Yet, without a clear breakdown of how the funds are being used, the levy risks becoming another opaque charge with little public benefit. The Council’s call for a detailed report on the levy’s balances and expenditures is a welcome step, but it must be followed by public disclosure and community oversight.
As Voices for Water we recommend:
- Ringfencing of the levy for leak repairs and infrastructure rehabilitation only
- Specifying the specific portion of the levy being proposed “to expand activities in this area” and also specify what those activities are.
- Immediate public publication of the special levy’s income and expenditure report so far.
- Community monitoring mechanisms to track levy use and impact.
We believe that this minimum level of public transparency and accountability will enable the Bulawayo City Council to rebuild the public confidence and trust with the residents and that strong social contract will improve service delivery in the City.