Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
THE Hwange Local Board (HLB) has intensified efforts to recover more than US$6,4 million owed by ratepayers as the local authority pushes ahead with a series of stalled development projects amid persistent financial constraints.
According to Town Secretary, Mr Ndumiso Mdlalose, the bulk of the arrears stem from unpaid property taxes, while the council itself owes about ZWG11,4 million to statutory bodies.
Poor revenue collection, recorded at only 22 percent 2023 was among the issues that led to the temporary rejection of the 2024 budget.
However, Mdlalose said the council’s renewed debt recovery measures had already improved collection efficiency to over 30 percent, with further strategies in motion to boost compliance.
“We have implemented a range of recovery strategies, including door-to-door visits, issuing payment notices and formal demand letters,” he said.
“Legal action against property owners who have defaulted for more than 120 days has now begun. The legal route is our last resort, as we prefer to maintain a cordial relationship with our stakeholders.”
The council is also targeting beneficiaries who were allocated residential, commercial, and industrial stands but have failed to make payments over an extended period.
Steps have been taken to repossess such properties, starting with the Don Bosco Low-Density area.
Letters have already been sent to affected individuals and institutions and a public notice of intention to repossess will be issued soon, HLB said.
Despite the financial challenges, HLB continues to push forward with several development projects aimed at improving service delivery and promoting local economic growth.
Among the projects delayed by limited funding is the Empumalanga Flea Market, 40 percent complete and requiring around US$100 000 to finish.
Once completed, the facility is expected to provide an organised and safe trading environment for local entrepreneurs, helping to decongest informal trading areas.
“We are actively seeking a partner to assist us in completing this important project. It will play a key role in formalising the small-business sector and stimulating the local economy,” said Mr Mdlalose.
The local authority has also invited expressions of interest for the rehabilitation of Nengasha Stadium, a major recreational facility serving the wider Hwange community.
Meanwhile, construction of a new primary school at Dynamic Village is expected to begin early next month, starting with two classroom blocks. The project comes as Nechibondo Primary School, the area’s only public school, struggles with overcrowding and hot-seating due to growing enrolments.
“The new school will ease congestion and improve the quality of education for our children,” Mr Mdlalose added.
In a bid to improve hygiene, orderliness, and employment opportunities, HLB also plans to construct modern market stalls at strategic locations across its jurisdiction. The initiative seeks to formalise informal trading activities while creating decent workspaces for small-scale traders.
Mr Mdlalose has reaffirmed the council’s commitment to enhancing service delivery, fostering stakeholder relations and driving inclusive local development despite economic hardships.
“Hwange Local Board remains committed to improving the lives of residents and promoting sustainable growth,” he said.
