By – Itai Mazire
Harare City Council’s revenue collection efficiency has clawed its way to 55 percent as at 31 May 2026, a significant leap from 48 percent recorded in 2025.
This flies in the face the local authority admits that the rate remains woefully below sustainable levels as it battles to restore public confidence and reverse years of service delivery collapse.
Acting Town Clerk Advocate Warren Chiwawa revealed that the council is now setting its sights on an ambitious 80 percent collection efficiency by year-end, warning that the current levels are insufficient to fund adequate services for Harare’s long-suffering residents.
“The current revenue collection efficiency averages 55 percent as at 31 May 2026, an improvement from a rate of 48 percent in 2025, but still below sustainable levels for funding adequate service delivery,” said Adv. Chiwawa.
He indicated that by year-end the local authority is aiming to up its tempo in revenue collection.
“The city aims to attain at least 80 percent collection efficiency by end of year. The targeted level of collection will sustain acceptable service levels for our rate payers,” he said.
Adv. Chiwawa indicated that the growing resistance among ratepayers to settle municipal obligations has been fuelled by the council’s own poor service delivery track record, which has left residents grappling with chronic water shortages, crumbling roads, erratic refuse collection and dilapidated sewer infrastructure.
“The city values its residents and stakeholders’ feedback and is therefore seized with the concerns of residents.
“Central to these concerns is the level of service delivery, which remains below acceptable levels for the residents of Harare.”
To reverse the crisis, council is rolling out a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system aimed at strengthening financial management and improving service delivery processes, while intensifying efforts to attract investment and forge strategic partnerships to bridge funding gaps and accelerate infrastructure rehabilitation.
However, the scale of the challenge is laid bare by the city’s ballooning debtors’ book, which now stands at a staggering ZWG10,4 billion, with domestic ratepayers accounting for the bulk of the burden.
Council remains optimistic that improved revenue performance, enhanced financial systems and investment partnerships will finally turn the tide on years of service delivery decline.
