Chronicle Editor
Amos Mpofu, Chronicle Writer
BULAWAYO councillors have expressed concern over the city`s flawed billing system, which has seen residents incurring inflated bills and accruing disproportionate arrears.
The councillors argue that the bills credited to residents are not commensurate, especially considering that most suburbs go for weeks without water and yet are charged higher bills for a service they do not enjoy.
According to the latest council monthly minutes, the issue of the flawed billing system needs to be urgently addressed to protect residents.
Ward 17 councillor, Clr Sikhululekile Moyo, said the bills given to residents do not match their water consumption.
“Councillor Moyo raised concern over the billing system and indicated that the bills charged did not match with the water consumption of residents,” reads the minutes. “Residents were willing to pay their dues but were demoralised by the ever escalating bills. She further sought clarification on how the department estimated the bills yet there was water shedding.”
Ward 18 councillor, Felix Takunda Madzana, said residents were receiving water once a month but continue to receive ballooning bills.
“I recall that the issue of high bills had previously been debated at length. A lasting solution was needed to solve the billing issues,” he said.
“Resolutions made should have time frames for implementation.”
Another councillor, Donaldson Mabuto, urged the Finance Department to closely monitor the billing system and report problems they encountered, so that they can be rectified. He said since the inception of water shedding bills had never matched the water consumption, which was discouraging residents from paying.
Other councillors challenged residents to pay their bills, to enable the city to carry out its service delivery duties.
Councillor Tinevimbo Maposa said it was impossible for the council to offer adequate service delivery without money, adding that the council must have measures in place to enable it to collect maximum revenue.
Councillors emphasised that residents were obliged to pay their rates whether water was running or not in their tapes, as there were fixed charges, rates and solid waste management charges that were not affected by the consumption of water.
Chairperson of the committee, Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo of Ward 26, acknowledged that there were challenges with the billing system and assured the councillors that the responsible department was working towards correcting the system.
He said the department was hamstrung by manpower challenges.
“Currently, the department had manpower challenges and also needed funds to invest in technology, to improve on the billing system,” said Clr Moyo.
Deputy Mayor Clr, Edwin Ndlovu, said there was a need to address the matter of billing for the benefit of the residents.
Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, said non-payment of rates by some residents was increasing their bills.
“While the council shall remain compassionate, fixed charges should be paid to the council regardless of the availability of water or not. Council’s website should be updated, to enable residents to view their accounts and pay their bills online without visiting revenue offices,” he said.
“I appeal to residents to pay their bills ,so that council could provide effective service delivery.”
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