Harare residents and businesses have been offered discounts and incentives to settle outstanding rates, with extra benefits for those who pay in foreign currency, as the City of Harare battles severe funding challenges affecting service delivery.
The incentive scheme was announced on 14 January 2026 by Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume, who revealed that the city is owed over ZWG 8.4 billion in unpaid rates.
📉 Council Struggling to Deliver Services
Mayor Mafume admitted that service delivery has declined due to funding shortages, with the city’s service delivery index averaging 52% in the last quarter of 2025, far below acceptable standards.
“Council is owed over ZWG 8.4 billion by residents, businesses and government departments. Eighty percent of the debt is owed by residents,” Mafume said, noting that some arrears date back more than 10 years.
To address this, the city has set a minimum collection target of 80% in 2026, aiming for full collection thereafter.
🎯 Discount Window and Forex Incentives
The City of Harare will offer discounts of up to 20% to ratepayers who clear their accounts between 19 January and 15 February 2026.
Those who pay in foreign currency will receive additional incentives, with the mayor encouraging even Zimbabweans in the diaspora to take advantage of the offer.
✅ Loyalty Benefits for Paid-Up Residents
Residents and businesses that are already fully paid up will also benefit, with council offering loyalty points and account credits as a reward for compliance.
🏗️ Amnesty for Developers
During the same period, developers will be allowed to regularise unapproved building plans without penalties, giving them a temporary compliance window.
⚠️ Eviction Warning for Defaulters
Council issued a strong warning to lease holders who continue to default on payments, saying it will not hesitate to enforce agreements, including evictions, for non-compliant tenants.
💻 New Billing System on the Way
Mayor Mafume also announced that the city will soon migrate to a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, aimed at improving billing efficiency and revenue collection.
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