Price hikes not welcome by many

The Bulawayo City Council’s proposal to hike rates by 416 percent has irked residents who say the proposed tariffs are not affordable to many.

 The deputy finance director for Bulawayo City Council, Mr Tense Nkunzi said the local authority is a price taker which has no option but to pass the increased costs to rate payers.

 Residents say the proposed 416 percent hike will be beyond the reach of many.

 Some rate-payers fear that the hiking of rates is likely to result in another round of rental increases by property owners.