Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
THE City of Harare has warned residents and institutions that it will intensify compliance and debt recovery operations across all districts beginning in 2026, targeting ratepayers who have gone for years without settling their bills.
In a statement, council spokesperson Mr Stanley Gama said some residents had failed to pay rates for more than three years, a situation that has undermined service delivery in Harare.
Mr Gama said the municipality would immediately roll out litigation processes against defaulters, including issuing summons to recover outstanding debts.
“As we enter 2026, the City of Harare will roll out widespread compliance operations across all districts,” he said.
“We have noted that some residents have gone for more than three years without paying rates, thereby hampering our service delivery efforts.”
He urged residents with outstanding balances to approach council offices to regularise their accounts and avoid unnecessary inconveniences.
Institutional debtors will not be spared, with council singling out churches and schools among entities that have accumulated significant arrears.
Mr Gama said council was concerned that some churches have neglected to pay mandatory public assembly fees and failed to regularise their floor plans, rendering activities at such premises illegal under city by-laws.
“Churches, hotels, bars, nightclubs and other entertainment venues are obliged to pay public assembly fees and must comply with noise by-laws to avoid inconveniences, including the locking down of premises,” he said.
The local authority has in recent years struggled to maintain consistent service delivery, citing constrained revenue inflows amid low compliance by ratepayers, rising operational costs and ageing infrastructure.
The renewed enforcement drive is part of efforts to improve revenue collection and restore service delivery standards in the capital.
“In the new year, there will be no compromise on service delivery as the City is obliged to provide quality service to residents,” Mr Gama said.
Harare residents have frequently complained about erratic water supplies, uncollected refuse and deteriorating roads, while council has repeatedly appealed for improved payment compliance to sustain operations.
Harare City Council must just shut up and do its work. It cannot complain of defaulters when its executives have been looting the little that residents have been paying as rates for years. Harare City Council should be the last to complain about non payment of rates by residents. The President is in possession of the evidence of extensive looting by HCC. Council (residents) owned businesses were hijacked by individuals. Businesses like the Quarry, Rufaro Marketing, Council flats, Council equipment and Council land have all disappeared into individuals ownership.