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Michael Magoronga, Sunday News Correspondent
MINISTER of State for Provincial Affairs in Midlands Cde Owen Ncube has warned municipal clinics in his province that are defying Government’s directive to scrap medical fees to pregnant women and senior citizens to stop that practise.
This comes after Government through Secretary for Health and Child Care Brigadier-General (Rtd) Dr Gerald Gwinji last week reaffirmed the scrapping of the fees as part of measures to increase access to health care.
Speaking during an inter-district meeting in Kwekwe on Thursday, Minister Ncube said municipal clinics were supposed to adhere to the directive to allow smooth flow of Government policies.
“I hear that there are some clinics that are still charging medical fees to our senior citizens and pregnant women. I will not take lightly to local authorities who defy the Government in my province. Let us ensure that we follow exactly what the Government has called on us to do so that we allow the smooth operations by the State,” he said.
He urged all local authority leadership to ensure that the directive was followed as soon as possible.
Cde Ncube also urged local authorities to desist from suing ratepayers who would have failed to settle debts with the council saying they should allow for payment plans to be done to settle their debts.
“We told Gweru recently to stop harassing ratepayers through the issuing of summons, and we will also engage Kwekwe and other towns in our province, let us engage the public and map a way forward. As we know, we are on the road to recovery, things do not change overnight,” said the minister.
Cde Ncube’s call comes amid reports that the Gweru City Council was giving summons to ratepayers for failing to settle debts they owe the local authority.
“We are against and totally condemn councils that sue residents. If the economy recovers then you can go ahead and sue them seeing they have money but are resisting to pay,” he said.
Cde Ncube said economic recovery was a process which needed everyone’s effort.
“We are in the process of visiting companies as we seek best ways of resuscitating our companies. Just yesterday we were at Sable Chemicals, companies will be fully operational in due course, that is when you will sue people who earn money but refuse to pay for services,” Minister Ncube said.
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