Online Reporter
Herald Correspondent
HARARE City Council is owed more than ZiG8 billion by ratepayers, a debt, officials warn, is crippling service delivery and threatening the municipality’s operational efficiency.
Presenting the latest Debtor’s Age Analysis Report during an update meeting on central business district operations and the regularisation of dysfunctional settlements, the acting Head of Revenue, Mr Alfred Guni, said the arrears were “alarmingly high” and unsustainable.
“Continued non-payment undermines our ability to deliver basic services and compromises the city’s efficiency,” he said.
“The City is urging all stakeholders to urgently clear their debts.”
The report shows that residential property owners owe the bulk of the money, standing at ZiG5 billion.
The commercial sector owes ZiG1,09 billion, while industry accounts for ZiG1,05 billion.
Mr Guni said the Government and its agencies were also among the debtors.
“Government owes ZiG167 million, ZESA ZiG455 million, dormitory towns ZiG345 million, parastatals ZiG64 million, while municipal property tenants collectively owe ZiG58 million. Sundry arrears stand at ZiG31 million,” he said.
Council has vowed to take stern measures against defaulters, including litigation.
“Those who fail to pay risk businesses being closed or properties being attached through court orders. We cannot continue to subsidise non-payment at the expense of service delivery,” he said.
He added that unless the arrears were cleared, “the City will struggle to provide water, maintain infrastructure, and manage waste,” urging all ratepayers to settle their obligations without further delay.
