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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council says it is owed more than $78 million in unpaid bills – a sharp increase following the government’s directive for local authorities to write off debts eight months ago.
Following a government’s directive that all local authorities should write off all debts owed to them by residents, the council wrote off resident’s debts amounting to over $46 million.
The council’s public relations officer Bongiwe Ngwenya last week said:
“As at February 28, 2014, consumers and ratepayers owe council $78,057,691.87.”
Ngwenya said the non-payment of bills was affecting the council’s service delivery, adding that was a lot that had to be done as a result of rains that pounded the city.
“The rainy season has damaged the roads and council has limited funding to channel towards the rehabilitation of the roads. During the rainy season more water chemicals are also needed to purify the murky muddy waters,” said Ngwenya.
“Council vehicles are equally affected by the potholes thus increasing the maintenance and repair costs. The ability to provide these services depends on availability of cash to source supplies and services to keep the city going.”
Ngwenya said the council had already started disconnecting defaulting residents.
“Non-responsive accounts have had final demands and summons issued, and disconnections are being carried out to encourage payment of amounts due,” she said.
“Consumers and residents are urged to settle their outstanding bills and also ensure that they are up to date with their payments. The residents who have challenges in settling their accounts are encouraged to enter into reasonable payment arrangements with Council.”
Bulawayo United Residents’ Association chairman Winos Dube said it was not feasible for residents to have accumulated such debt.
“They need to re-visit their figures. Residents couldn’t have accrued these amounts of bills in such a short period. Unless residents have not been paying bills from last year July,” he said.
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