Harare to attach property over unpaid bills

unpaid water bills, rates and supplementary charges.
The 5005 residents of seven high-density suburbs owe the city over US$12 million while 538 firms that collectively owe the city over US$22 million have been issued with final statements of demand.
Most of the firms are located in Graniteside, Workington industrial areas and the Central Business District.

Some residents risk losing household property to the city after Harare got court orders to attach property.
City spokesman Mr Lesley Gwindi yesterday confirmed the city’s initiative, saying it was the only way Harare could recoup its money which it intends to plough back into service delivery.

CITY OF HARARE

Suburbs with the most affected people are Mbare, Mabvuku, Highfield, Tynwald, Kuwadzana, Tafara and Kambuzuma.
Mabvuku has the highest number of defaulters with 1 700 who owe the city US$4,5 million, followed by Kambuzuma with 1 135 defaulting residents owing US$1,2 million.

Mbare has 1 050 defaulters with a cumulative debt of US$2,7 million.
Two hundred and eighteen residents of Highfield owe the city US$1,1 million while 272 residents of Tynwald owe US$1,2 million.

About 301 Tafara residents who have not been paying their bills owe the city half a million dollars while 329 defaulters in Ku-wadzana owe US$654 352.
Default judgments have since been issued against 889 residents after they failed to appear in court to defend themselves or make payment plans.
The group owes the city US$3 million.

A total of 176 companies in Graniteside owe Harare US$2,7 million while 132 firms in Workington owe US$3,6 million.
Three hundred and thirty businesses operating in the CBD owe the biggest amount of US$15,4 million.

Mr Gwindi said because of the huge debt, the city was failing to provide services to the “same people” clamouring for world class services but refusing to honour their debts.
He said the list for other suburbs would soon be made available.

Residents are not happy with council’s service delivery mainly refuse collection, poor roads and street lighting.