adminYeukai Karengezeka Herald Correspondent
Chitungwiza Municipality says its contract with Wellcash Debt Collectors remains in force, despite calls by residents to have it terminated. The local authority engaged the company early this year after residents ignored the municipality’s pleas to either settle their dues or come up with payment plans.
Town clerk Dr George Makunde said they could not reverse the engagement easily because of contractual agreements.
“Wellcash is still there, the disengagement is a process and not an event given the fact that they signed a subsisting contract with council which runs until February next year,” he said.
According to council finance director Mrs Evangelista Machona, Wellcash remits an average of $50 000 per month.
Residents have been raising concerns over the conduct of the debt collector, saying it was abusive in its operations.
“I will meet with the owners and see how best we can deal with the issue, especially how they handle our people which has been a very serious issue,” said Dr Makunde.
Residents expressed their disgruntlement over the matter.
“We do not appreciate the way these young agents who are sent by their employer treat us when they visit our homes or when we visit them,” said Mr Takemore Rupasa.
Another resident, Mrs Fiona Kahera, said council should offer the services to encourage people to pay.
“As far as we know, it is illegal to engage debt collectors,” she said.
“Council expects us to pay the bills, we understand that, but how can we pay for services that we do not receive. It is one of the major reasons why we have been reluctant to honour the bills.”
The local authority for the past years was billing residents for services that do not exist in their areas and it is only early this year when fees for non-existent services were scrapped.
It is understood that although Chitungwiza terminated the services of another debt collector, Mangwana and Partners Legal Practitioners in 2015, the firm is still collecting debts on behalf of the local authority.
Online Reporter