HWANGE Local Board is in the process of collecting vital statistics as part of its efforts aimed at improving its revenue base. HLB Town Secretary Pastor Ndumiso Mdlalose said the local authority was in the process of collating and compiling information pertaining to the usage of land in its area of jurisdiction.
“In an effort to improve on revenue collection I have since tasked all managers to focus on the collection of vital statistics to inform taxation, levying and other revenue streams of the Council,” he said.
The latest exercise comes against the backdrop that a large number of properties are not appearing on Council’s billing system. Pastor Mdlalose emphasised on the need for the local authority to have appropriate information on the land at its disposal to ensure land-use planning, development control as well as levying its users.
“We started collecting vital statistics in November last year and we have covered significant ground. We should be having information about every piece of land in our area. This entails who owns it and how much they owe us because that’s where our main funds come from for us to deliver service to the people,” he said.
Pastor Mdlalose noted that the local authority should be able to track everyone who owns a stand or property so that it enhances its billing system.
“Without information that a certain piece of land was given to a particular person at such a time and whether it’s due for repossession or the person owes so much and we need to squeeze out that debt we will not be able to deliver. We accept that we have a number of gaps and we are trying to close those gaps,” he said.
Council has also intensified infrastructure development control as part of its efforts to ensure construction of high standard buildings.
“We are also seized with the issue of develop[1]ment control. There’s supervision and monitoring of development as in construction works, to make sure we meet the required standards. So, that the properties that are constructed are of the right quality and as such it makes them resilient to all forms of weather,” said Pastor Mdlalose.
Local authorities have a responsibility of ensuring development control within their areas of jurisdiction as enshrined in Chapter 29:15 Section 199 of the Urban Councils Act.
Through this Act, Council has the right to demolish any building wilfully erected without its authority and recover from the person responsible for the contravention the expense incurred by the local authority in connection with such demolition. It can also prohibit any use of building or land which contravenes any provision of the Act. Council compiles vital statistic on land usage.
