Harare — MARONDERA residents have petitioned council over the revised budget, which they described as "still too exorbitant".

The petition follows a similar one by the business community which suggested they pay US$63 against the original US$420 per month proposed by the council.

The residents, through the Combined Marondera Residents' Association complained they were unable to pay rates of US$5 a month per household as Marondera did not have city status.

COMARA chairman Mr David Chimuzinga on Monday said they convened two public meetings -- one attended by more than 200 at Mbuya Nehanda Hall in Dombotombo and the other at Cherutombo Secondary School attended by 150.

"A consensus was reached that charges were too high, as this is a town and not a city, with other issues concerning council overstaffing as the workforce needs to be reduced to meaningful levels," said Mr Chimuzinga.

The residents also complained of erratic refuse collection, even when payments were being made on time.

They alleged the refuse truck was frequently sited ferrying firewood in Cherutombo's Boterekwa Road.

They also suggested water charges be fixed as water was being rationed, with irregularities occurring on the meter readings.

Residents complained that there were no public street lights in the high-density suburbs while there was a lack of transparency in the council's cattle project, workshop assets and alleged corruption in the sewerage department, as some workers did private jobs during working hours.

Marondera Municipality is yet to respond to the petition or to allegations levelled against it.

Marondera Bureau