City owed $45 billion

H-Metro Reporter

HARARE City Council’s financial woes continue to mount, with Mayor Jacob Mafume revealing they are owed $45 billion, a massive increase from last year’s $5 billion.

Addressing delegates at a budget interface, Mafume said the financial situation continues to deteriorate.

“As at 31 August 2022, we are owed $45 billion, meaning the financial position of the council is not sustainable,” he said.

“For us to manage the affairs of people in our jurisdiction, we need resources, and the critical tool is our budget.

“As we prepare the budget, we are advised of our allocation, in terms of the intergovernmental fiscal transfers, popularly known as devolution funds.”

Mafume said due to financial limitations, the council has failed to fulfil or finish some of its projects.

He said industry and commerce owed Council $16 billion, residents $13 billion, Government $961 million and the neighbouring towns of Chitungwiza, Ruwa and Norton $1.1 billion.

“The failure by residents, institutions and Government Ministries to pay for services has affected our operations because we are failing to pay our service providers,” said Mafume.