Prominance Sinomusa Khumalo
Bulawayo – The Government has announced a new package of allowances and benefits for local authority officials, including monthly allowances, residential stands, motorbike loans, and other perks such as free parking and graves during their tenure.
The measures were announced by the Local government Minister after the 2025 All-Councillors Indaba held in Bulawayo last month. The circular was supposed have been released a few days after the Indaba.
The circular dated 17 July 2025, was eventually issued by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, this week.
Under the new structure:
- Mayors & Council Chairpersons will receive US$265 monthly.
- Deputy Mayors & Vice Chairpersons will get US$243.
- Committee Chairpersons will earn US$229.
- Ordinary Councillors will be paid US$221.
Minister Garwe stated that 20% of these increases will take effect from January 2026.
To support councillors without residences in their wards, the government has introduced a once-off housing benefit:
- Eligible councillors can be allocated a single residential stand within their ward at a 40% discount.
- The stand will be offered on a lease-to-buy basis, with full payment required before the end of their term.
- Title deeds will only be issued after home construction is complete, and the stand cannot be sold or transferred during office.
“The stand acquired in terms of this circular is not for profit or aggrandizement,” Minister Garwe emphasized, calling it “a privilege, not an entitlement.”
- Councils can apply to provide motorbike loans (up to US$2,000) to councillors, repayable over five years.
- Additional perks include free parking and a free grave during their term.
- No exit packages will be paid upon completion of a councillor’s term.
Minister Garwe warned against unauthorized perks, stating:
“Any circular that arbitrarily raised allowances without ministerial approval should recover same forthwith.”
The Auditor-General has been directed to audit compliance, and all previous circulars on allowances have been cancelled.
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