200 families locked out

Timoth Makohliso Midlands Reporter
REDCLIFF town council locked out about 200 families for not paying rent for the past 10 months, the mayor, Councillor Freddy Kapuya confirmed yesterday. Clr Kapuya said in the past week council has been tough on residents who owe the local authority money in outstanding rentals.

He said some residents owed council thousands of dollars in rentals.

“Tenants who rent council houses are not paying rentals. This has been happening for quite some time now. We have been patient with these people. I believe it’s high we got tough with them and force them to pay. Just imagine someone who stays in a four-roomed house and is expected to pay only $6 per month but fails to pay. If we lock them out they will certainly pay,” said Clr Kapuya.

He said following the crackdown, close to $90,000 has since been paid by rent defaulters.

Clr Kapuya said there was no reason for these people to fail to pay rent.

“These people need to understand that council workers need salaries which come from revenue collected from council properties and rates. I understand the economic conditions are not favourable but they have to pay. Making them pay is necessary because council has an obligation to provide services,” he said.