Hwedza ratepayers say they have resolved to stop paying council rates until allegations of corruption, mismanagement and poor governance at the Hwedza Rural District Council (HRDC) are independently investigated, escalating their grievances to Parliament after what they describe as repeated failures by council leadership to engage them.

In a petition dated 24 October 2025 and addressed to the Chairperson of the Public Petitions Committee, Parliament of Zimbabwe, the signatories, identifying themselves as Hwedza District ratepayers, are seeking “urgent intervention” into what they allege is corruption, gross mismanagement and a breakdown in accountability at the local authority.

The petition and a separate formal objection to the proposed 2026 budget outline what residents describe as an “unfunded mandate”, lack of transparency, weak service delivery, a culture of impunity among senior officials, and political labelling of outspoken residents and councillors.

Among the most serious claims are allegations that foreign trips by council management were undertaken without due process or clear budgetary authority. The petition cites a reported Italy trip involving the council’s CEO and council chair, referencing Full Council meeting minutes of 11 July 2025, and alleges there was no council resolution authorising the travel or clarity on its funding. Ratepayers say no tangible benefits or feedback were ever communicated.

A separate objection letter dated 14 October 2025 similarly alleges that the CEO and council chair undertook foreign trips to Italy, the UK, Ghana and Mozambique which residents say were not budgeted for, placing pressure on council finances and undermining service delivery.

On finances, ratepayers allege double costing of projects, inflated charges and weak financial controls, citing paving and fencing works at council offices as examples. The petition also raises questions over a kombi reportedly purchased under the budget but which residents claim has not been seen in the council fleet, with no satisfactory explanation provided.

Residents further cite poor service delivery, including unreliable access to clean water, inadequate public ablution facilities and non-functional street lighting in parts of Hwedza Growth Point, which they say has contributed to rising criminal activity.

The documents also allege that public input into the 2026 budget was ignored, with residents claiming consultations were superficial and selectively conducted. The objection letter further alleges the Zimbabwe Republic Police were used in the closure of businesses and the ejection of ratepayers from council meetings.

The petition also alleges political labelling of residents and councillors, citing Ward 15 councillor Lovemore Mukombe, who ratepayers claim was openly threatened with removal during a full council meeting for opposing adoption of the proposed 2026 budget.

In the relief sought, ratepayers say they will withhold rates until the issues are addressed and investigations into the CEO and council chair are conducted “without fear or favour.” They cite provisions of the Rural District Councils Act and Section 62(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to access information.

Editor's note- ZimNow is in the process of seeking HRDC's position on the allegations.