adminHerald Correspondent
Harare City Council is awarding a 30 percent discount to all ratepayers who fully settle their rates and water bills by the end of the year. The 30 percent will be credited to the ratepayer’s accounts and for them to qualify, they should have zero balance by 31 December, 2015. The discount comes as the cash-strapped council is owed more than $400 million by residents, business and Government.
According to the recent council minutes of the Finance and Development committee, council was failing to meet its Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) monthly obligation of $1 million. The debt has ballooned to $137 million.
“The monthly payment as per the subsisting payment plan amounted to $1 million per month and ZIMRA was demanding an upward review so as to address the ballooning debt,” reads the minutes.
“Council had made an appeal for the waiver of the 100 percent penal charge and this was not granted. ZIMRA was yet to renew the city tax certificate, and hence council sought the intervention of the Ministry of Local Government Public Works and National Housing to find common ground between two parties in this regard.
The city also owes $25 million to BancAbc and CABS for the purchasing of refuse compactors. Asked if the discounts would not affect the payments of debts and service delivery, council spokesperson Mr Michael Chideme said the discounts envisaged that paid up ratepayers had to be rewarded for keeping their accounts up to date.
“The above is meant to boost revenue inflows in order to improve service delivery in the City of Harare and also to thank our good ratepayers for their support,” he said.
“All ratepayers are therefore urged to settle their bills in full and take advantage of this offer which is valid up to 31st December, 2015,” he said.
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