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Redcliff Town Council has started servicing the $2 million debt it owes Kwekwe City Council for water supplies. This follows an improvement in its revenue collection after Government started paying Ziscosteel workers part of what the company owed them in salaries.
Redcliff mayor, Councillor Fred Kapuya, said the town recently paid $7 500 to Kwekwe City Council.
“Since Government started paying Ziscosteel workers after it took over the bill, we have been realising some improvement in revenue collection,” he said.
“Money is beginning to exchange hands in our town, thanks to the move by Government and as the local authority we are beginning to service our water bill with Kwekwe City Council.
“We recently paid $7 500 to Kwekwe city council and they have since confirmed receipt of the money.”
Clr Kapuya said the local authority had been relying solely on revenue collected from residents following the closure of Ziscosteel, which was its biggest customer.
Ziscosteel used to foot the bill for water supplies from Kwekwe City Council.
Clr Kapuya said the town was pinning its hopes on the revival of Ziscosteel, adding that the move by Government to pay the workers their salaries meant Redcliff, which was fast turning into a ghost town, would spring to life again.
Government has been scouting for investors for the revival of the giant steel firm and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Patrick Chinamasa recently announced that Government was taking over the $300 million debt that Zisco owed when it closed.
Online Reporter