Gweru writes off debts

Harare Bureau
GWERU City Council has written off debts for institutions, commercial and industrial customers for the period July to December this year to encourage payment of bills.
The city will write off 50 percent of rates and service charges on all bills for industry, commerce and institutions outstanding as at December 31 last year if the corporates pay 50 percent of what they owe council during the promotional period.

“City of Gweru has resolved to grant debt relief to all customers in the above categories for the period July 2014 to December 2014 due to liquidity challenges facing our clients and the economy at large.

“Affected ratepayers and debtors who fail to embrace the relief measure would have full arrears owing to council restored after the lapse of this grace period,” said the city’s town clerk Daniel Matawu.

He said the city would take a legal route on the lapse of the promotional period.
Matawu said the promotion does not apply to amounts outstanding on property or stands purchases.

He said the promotion also does not apply to those who benefited from the June 2013 write-offs.
Most local authorities are failing to provide basic services as they are owed millions of dollars by residents, industry and government.
Gweru City Council is owed $24 million by residents, government and the business community.