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Chitungwiza Municipality has become the first among the big local authorities to issue out bills to residents with debts written off in compliance with a Government directive to scrap debts owed by residents from February 2009 to June 2013.Most residents in the town received bills of about US$19 for July only with indications on the bills that the debts had been written off.
Chitungwiza was owed over US$40 million in unpaid rates and rents by residents.
Government, just before the July 31 harmonised elections, ordered all the 92 rural and urban councils to write off debts owed by residents following complaints by residents’ associations.
Ratepayers who were up to date with their payments would enjoy a 30 percent discount until December as an incentive.
Chitungwiza town clerk Mr George Makunde yesterday confirmed that the council had complied with the directive.
Residents expressed joy at the development and pledged to pay their current bills on time.
“This is not a political gimmick as we thought because we are now in possession of the actual bills,” said Mrs Vimbika Shayamapiki.
“We now want to be up to date with our payments because the moment you leave the amount accumulating you will not be able to settle the debt.”
Others applauded Government for the move saying this would see an increase in revenue collection for the council.
“Many people were not paying up because the bills were unrealistic as they were largely estimates but we can now monitor our bills,” said another resident.
“This is the day we were waiting for and this is the best move we have seen since independence because it shows that Government is sensitive to the plight of its people.”
Local Government, Rural and Urban Development secretary Mr Killian Mpingo said many local authorities were scrapping the bills.
He said local authorities that defy the directive would face the full wrath of the law. “Indications and reports we are receiving are that the councils are complying,” he said.
“The ministry is empowered by the law to deal with those that go against the directive but from the look of things everything is going according to plan.”
Most local authorities in Mashonaland East have also issued out bills to residents with the debts written off.
Harare City Council has written off debts amounting to US$330 million with residents expected to receive their bills between now and next week.
Council officials have assured residents that they would receive bills with the debts scrapped.
Online Reporter