adminTimoth Makohliso Midlands Reporter
Mkoba residents who owe Gweru City Council money in outstanding bills yesterday took to the streets demonstrating against the city council’s decision to engage debt collectors.
Scores of placard waving residents staged a peaceful march to the city council offices at Mkoba Village 6 shopping centre where they presented their petition to the council management and the mayor, Councillor Hamutendi Kombayi.
The residents’ demonstration was precipitated by the local authority’s decision to engage debt collectors.
Gweru City Council is owed more than $24 million by residents.
The residents who were visibly angry gathered at the council offices singing and holding placards denouncing the city mayor and the management.
They called for the council management team as well as Clr Kombayi and his councillors to step down.
The residents later demanded to be addressed by Clr Kombayi and his team.
Residents accused council management of corruption and overspending at the expense of service delivery.
They said the council’s decision to engage debt collectors was management’s way of milking money from residents.
“We demand to see the mayor. We want to talk to him and his team. They must explain clearly to us what’s happening or else there won’t be any peace here. How could they engage debt collectors behind our back. We were surprised when we were served with papers. The papers stated that our property will be attached,” said one disgruntled resident.
Residents also demanded the council management to stop the debt collection process with immediate effect.
Clr Kombayi and the council management gave in to the demands of residents.
They admitted that they erred when they engaged the debt collectors.
“As policy makers we do admit that engaging debt collectors was a bit too harsh. I therefore want to apologise on behalf of council. I can also assure you that the debt collection process has been cancelled this very minute. However, the fact still remains you owe the council millions of dollars. You must come to our offices and make payment plans. Pay the little that you have,” said Clr Kombayi.
He said residents must start servicing their accounts to avoid conflict with the local authority in future.
Ward 8 councillor, Willard Ndaguta, said residents were failing to pay their bills because most of them were out of employment.
He said as a result council was collecting revenue which was lower than its expenditure.
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