Faced with a 20-fold increase in Harare local rates for water and other services, the Combined Harare Residents Association is mobilizing Harareans for protests.
The Zimbabwe Independent weekly newspaper reported that local property taxes and rates for water and sanitation are slated to rise by as much as 2,000%.
Residents association spokesman Precious Shumba said the budget was submitted to Local Authority Minister Ignatius Chombo October 31 and should be published soon.
Shumba said residents in Harare's Mbare and Glen Norah districts have expressed a willingness to turn out for demonstrations. The association is also considering legal action and a resident boycott or mass refusal to pay increased rates.
More reports from VOA's Studio Seven For Zimbabwe...