adminSamantha Chigogo Herald Correspondent
Harare City Council, which is owed more than $382 million in outstanding bills, last week issued 4 000 summons and 1 000 warrants to defaulting ratepayers who now risk losing their properties for failing to pay up despite numerous warnings to settle the debts.
Government departments, satellite towns, businesses and residents are among ratepayers who owe council huge sums of money.
In a Press release, the city council said it was taking more action against defaulters.
“Please take note that with immediate effect, the City of Harare will be intensifying its debt collection efforts,” said council in a statement.
Ratepayers will witness enhanced disconnections, legal and other efforts to recover the huge sums owed to the city.
“The continued default on the part of our debtors or other partners is adversely impacting the city’s service delivery. Ratepayers are, therefore, requested to immediately settle their accounts with the city. Where ratepayers are not immediately in a position to do so, they are kindly advised to contact their nearest district office or Rowan Martin Building to make a payment plan,’’ the city said.
The city said disputed bills would not absolve ratepayers.
‘’Where ratepayers believe that there are some issues with their bills/accounts, they are advised to expeditiously contact the City Treasurer’s Department,” said the city.
Harare city principal communications officer Mr Michael Chideme said defaulters risked losing their property.
“We have implemented a number of measures to collect the debts from those owing us, which include water disconnections, issuance of summons and warrants and this week alone (last week) we are issuing 4 000 summons and 1 000 warrants of attachment,” he said
Mr Chideme said the city council was issuing 24-hour notices to invite residents to present their payment plans.
“Residents should come forward and discuss working payment plans with council officials or else they risk major water disconnections,” he said.
Mr Chideme said the payment plan arrangement also applied to Government depart- ments.
“We have engaged in a set of arrangements with Zimra as it is a Governmental arm, hence the debt owed by Government departments will be covered in our monthly tax payment requirements to the revenue authority,” he said.
Mr Chideme said issuing summons to defaulters was the best way to recover money owed to the council.
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