Council in drive to recover ZiG54 million from debtors

Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]
BEITBRIDGE Municipality has initiated a concerted effort to recover a staggering ZiG54 million owed by residents, businesses, and institutions, a debt that has significantly hindered the local authority’s ability to deliver essential services and implement critical capital projects.
Speaking during a 2024 Mid-term budget review meeting on Monday, the municipality’s finance director, Mr Anymore Mbedzi, said there is an urgent need to address the growing debt, which is composed of unpaid rates, service charges, and water bills.
Mr Mbedzi said the non-payment of bills by residents and businesses is affecting service delivery in the border town.
“We are deeply concerned about the rising level of unpaid bills, which has led to an alarming increase in our debtors over the years. It is disheartening to note that we are owed over ZiG54 million by various stakeholders, including ratepayers, residents, institutions, and businesses,” he said.
“We need to work together as the local authority and the residents in resolving this issue. We cannot run a viable council when people are not paying for services.”
The breakdown of the debt reveals that commercial entities owe the council ZiG15,8 million, the industrial sector ZiG7,2 million, high-density residential areas ZiG15,7 million, medium-density residential areas ZiG5,1 million, low-density residential areas ZiG5 million, local authorities ZiG210,061.61, and Government departments ZiG5 million.
A significant portion of this debt is attributed to unpaid water bills, which amount to over ZiG9 million.
The situation has become so dire that the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has twice cut off water supplies to Beitbridge in the past two months to compel the municipality to settle its ZiG3 million debt.
In response, the local authority has disconnected water services to some of its largest debtors, but the town still requires 15 000 cubic meters of water daily to meet its needs.
“Our creditors’ bill stands at around ZiG18 million, and we are working hard to meet our financial obligations as more funds become available,” Mr Mbedzi said.
Beitbridge Town Clerk, Mr Loud Ramakgapola, emphasised that the non-payment of bills has severely affected the municipality’s ability to carry out several planned capital projects.
“It is important for residents to pay up their bills so that we can operate efficiently and smoothly as a local authority,” he said.
These projects, some of which are set to be funded through devolution funds, include the completion of Makhado Primary School in the Khwalu 2 suburb, the construction of a new clinic near White Lodge along the Bulawayo road, and the servicing of 235 residential stands in the low-density area near the Government staff village.
Other projects include upgrading the town’s sewer and water reticulation systems, improving public lighting in new suburbs, and maintaining roads. Additionally, the municipality is planning to construct a standard-engineered landfill on the western side of the town, enhance the Makakavhule cemetery, and undertake further community development projects aimed at improving the overall ambiance of Beitbridge.
Beitbridge Mayor, Councillor Peter Pirato Mafuta, stressed the importance of the mid-term budget review as a tool for reflection and adjustment.
“This mid-term budget review is not just a financial exercise; it is a chance to reflect on the commitments we made at the beginning of the year and to make any necessary adjustments to our plans. It is an opportunity to reinforce our dedication to transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in our governance,” he said.