Harare City Council has announced it will start charging for some services in US dollars with immediate effect.
At a council meeting, Town Clerk Hosiah Chisango said the move will enable the council to carry out its mandate.
Chisango said, “We want to start billing in US dollars immediately, so the July bills will come in US dollars.”
He added that while residents can pay in either forex or local currency, “there are charges like plan approval fees that we propose to be paid in US dollars only.”
Chisango revealed the council had met with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Monetary Policy Committee to discuss the plans.
The decision to charge in USD for some services has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it will unfairly burden ratepayers already struggling with inflation.
But Chisango defended the move, saying the council needs forex to keep the value of its resources amid the economic crisis.
Residents now brace for a hike in fees and charges as Harare City Council begins billing in US dollars.
