NEW: City of Harare to name and shame debtors

Online Reporter

The City of Harare says it is going to name and shame debtors for dragging back the city’s service delivery programmes by not minding to settle their rates, apart from issuing them with summons.

The city is owed more than ZiG940 million by residents, businesses, parastatals and government departments.

Harare City Council last week began serving summons on debtors who owe more than two months to force them to pay their bills in time.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, the city head of corporate communications Mr Stanley Gama said: “The City will also embark on a name and shame exercise to encourage our debtors to settle, names of debtors will be posted on our social media platforms and at all district offices in Harare.

“To avoid the inconveniences of being taken to court with the possibility of losing property like houses, debtors are urged to immediately settle their dues with the city.”

Mr Gama said those who owed the city were negatively affecting service delivery.

“This is money that is needed to run the city operations and service delivery operations,” he said. “We have since started issuing final demands and summons to our debtors. The summons will be served on all our debtors without fear or favour.”