Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
GWERU City Council (GCC) has launched a revenue collection blitz aimed at recovering over ZWG20 million owed by residents and ratepayers as of January 2025.
The financially constrained local authority is hoping that the debt recovery exercise will ease its financial burden and stimulate operations.
In the past, the council has engaged debt collectors, imposed interest charges on outstanding arrears, and resorted to property attachments to compel defaulters to pay.
In an interview yesterday, council spokesperson Ms Vimbai Chingwaramusee confirmed the latest blitz, emphasising that effective revenue collection is crucial for the council’s operations and service delivery.
This, she said, enables the funding of essential services such as water supply, waste management, and infrastructure development.
She added that revenue collected will also enhance the council’s ability to provide amenities and services that benefit the community, including the maintenance of public spaces, health services, and social welfare programmes.
“It’s true that the local authority will conduct a revenue blitz from 19 to 23 May aimed at recovering outstanding debts. As of January, residents and ratepayers owed the council ZWG20 million in unpaid rates,” said Ms Chingwaramusee.
She noted that, on the other hand, the local authority owes Zesa ZWG105 million, Nssa ZWG1.2 million, and LAPF ZWG23 million, among other creditors.
“As of January 31, the council was owed ZWG18.88 million, up from ZWG17.33 million in December 2024. Hence, the current debt stands at US$20.6 million,” she said.
“Prompt payment of bills enables the council to deliver proper services and develop the city. This move is expected to boost revenue collection, thereby improving service delivery and infrastructure development,” she added.
Ms Chingwaramusee urged residents and business owners to take immediate action to clear outstanding debts and regularise their operations to avoid penalties.
She said the council has been warning ratepayers to settle their bills since September 2024.
“By recovering outstanding debts, the council can enhance its capacity to deliver on its mandate, ultimately improving the quality of life for Gweru residents. The revenue collection blitz underscores the council’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and sustainable urban management,” she said.
Gweru City Council has been struggling to improve service delivery due to financial challenges brought on by non-paying stakeholders and ratepayers.
“It’s always with a heavy heart that the GCC embarks on such initiatives to recover revenue owed by residents and ratepayers,” she said. “Failure to settle debts will result in debt collection measures, including property seizures, which will be a last resort.”
According to a public notice seen by this publication, GCC enforcement teams will focus on residential and commercial debt collection as well as business licensing compliance. Residents and business owners with outstanding water and rates bills are urged to settle their debts immediately to avoid service disruptions.
“We urge all business owners to regularise their operations, obtain the necessary licences, and clear outstanding debts. Failure to comply will result in serious consequences, including water disconnections, summons, property attachments and lockouts,” the notice reads.
The revenue blitz aims to improve revenue collection and ensure compliance with municipal regulations.
“We encourage everyone to settle their debts and ensure compliance to avoid disruptions,” said the council.
