Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu [email protected]
THE Municipality of Gwanda in Matabeleland South province is owed over U$6,5 million by rate payers from all 10 wards in the town with plans underway to recover the unpaid debt.
In an interview Gwanda Town mayor Alderman Thulani Moyo said the local authority started off by identifying money owed by each ward and then a committee has been established to conduct follow ups.
Ward 1 which covers the town area and some low density areas owes the highest with US$1,5 million.
“We are being owed over US$6,5 million by rate payers. We had to break down the amount per ward in order to know which ward is paying well and which is lagging behind. We have gone further to establish a committee comprised of various stakeholders such as residents association, councillors, faith leaders among others to encourage people to own up to their unpaid debts.
“So far this is mutual arrangement in which we hope residents will own up to without us having to resort to harsh measures such as courts. As for businesses that owe us over US$2 000 we have taken them to court and they are responding well,” he said.
Alderman Moyo said the local authority is working on achieving minimum service delivery and offer required standards that have been set by Government but without adequate revenue it will be difficult.
“If we look closely into some of the services that we need to offer there is the issue of water supply where we must supply water 24 hours and each resident should get 80 litres per day. Water supply comes with a cost because there is equipment and electricity.
“Electricity costs about US$30 000 per month as well as chemicals. There is also costs of maintaining pipes and costs of salaries. People have to adopt a culture of paying willingly before any follow ups are made. If they don’t comply we will go on to disconnect people,” he said.
@DubeMatutu
