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Senior Reporter
LOCAL authorities have confirmed receiving circulars ordering them to write off, with immediate effect, all debts accrued to residents’ accounts in the last four years.On Monday last week, the Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, Dr Ignatius Chombo directed all the 92 urban and rural councils to write off debts owed by residents from February 2009 to 30 June this year.
The directive followed complaints by residents across the country over the debts mainly caused by unjustified increases in rates and bills by MDC-T controlled councils, especially in urban areas.
In separate interviews on Friday officials from urban and rural local authorities said they had received the Local Government Ministry’s circular.
“Yes, we have received communication from the ministry in the form of a circular,” said Bulawayo City Council’s senior public relations officer, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu without elaborating.
Bubi Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Patson Mlilo also said his office had received the circular but declined to comment further.
An official from Gwanda Town Council who preferred anonymity also said his council received the circular.
“We have received the circular and since it is a directive we have no choice as a council but to comply,” said the official.
The Government has said the directive was irreversible and said it was not a political campaign gimmick as alleged by other people.
Addressing thousands of party supporters in the Midlands on Friday, President Mugabe also endorsed the directive saying there was no need for anyone to question. He reiterated that position in Bulawayo on Saturday.
Vice-President Joice Mujuru also echoed the same sentiments.
Contacted for comment immediate past Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (Ucaz) chairman and former Masvingo mayor Alderman Femias Chakabuda, said he was aware of the directive but said councillors will act on it after elections.
“We are only four days before the holding of the harmonised elections. This is an issue that the new councillors will address,” he said.
Bulawayo residents have applauded Minister Chombo for coming to their rescue.
Reverend Samuel Mabhena of the Golden Gate Pentecostal in Bulawayo said the scraping of debts was a positive response to the plight of residents.
“As Bulawayo we are very grateful to Dr Chombo. Many people, especially the elderly, people living with disabilities and the less privileged are struggling to pay rentals. Even indigenous pastors are struggling.
We thank the Government for the reprieve. This will also alleviate the people’s suffering,” said Rev Mabhena.
Dr Chombo said while Government acknowledged the need for residents to pay bills for sustenance of efficient service delivery, economic sanctions had made it difficult for the generality of citizenry to meet their obligations.
The directive was issued in terms of Section 133 of the Rural District Councils Act Chapter 29:13 as read with Section 303 of the Urban Councils Act Chapter 29:15.
Residents have urged the Government to also direct utilities such as Zesa and TelOne to also write off debts.
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