By Staff Reporter
The Government has unveiled a comprehensive package of allowances and benefits for local authority officials, including residential and commercial stands, motorbike loans not exceeding US$2000 and other privileges such as free parking and a grave during their tenure.
However, no exit packages will be paid upon the completion of a councillor’s term.
This is contained in a circular dated 17 July 2025, issued by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe and addressed to all local authorities.
According to the circular, mayors and council chairpersons will now receive a monthly allowance of US$265, while deputy mayors and vice chairpersons will earn US$243.
Committee chairpersons will get US$229, and ordinary councillors will receive US$221 monthly.
Minister Garwe noted that 20 percent of these allowances will be effected from January 2026.
The announcement follows the 2025 All-Councillors Indaba held in Bulawayo in June, where Minister Garwe promised that a circular detailing the new perks would be released.
“The circular comes into effect immediately,” said Minister Garwe.
“Any circular that arbitrarily raised allowances without ministerial approval or awarded perks outside this circular should recover same forthwith.
“Please note that by copy of this circular, the Auditor General is requested to ensure that the payment of allowances and the granting of perks is audited to ensure compliance to this circular.
“Interpretation of this circular rests with the Secretary of Local Government and Public Works, and all previous circulars on allowances and perks are hereby cancelled.”
To enable serving councillors to live in a dignified manner, Government has also introduced a once-off housing benefit for councillors who do not have residences within their wards.
“Permission is granted for a councillor who does not have a residence within his/her ward to be allocated a single residential stand in their lifetime, within that ward, on which to construct a home for him/herself,” reads the circular.
