adminpublic hearings where stakeholders would map the way forward.
“Residents are still making their submissions and we are yet to meet to determine the dates for the public hearings over the issue. We are getting a lot of information and the response is good,” said Mr Sibanda.
“A lot of people are struggling to pay their bills especially at this time when many companies are behind in terms of payment of salaries. Submissions are sent to head office in Harare, but this is a subject that everyone is keen about”.
Asked to comment on remarks by Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo, who denounced the investigations and described them as a useless exercise, Mr Sibanda said the commission was mandated to respond when consumers raise concerns on tariff issues.
“As a commission we do not work on emotions, but on issues of substance, when people raise concerns,” he said.
Clr Moyo is on record saying the inquiry was futile since the city’s billing system was based on consultations with the ratepayers during budget meetings.
The inquiry followed an outcry by some residents who felt council was ripping them off while failing to render adequate service delivery.
The CTC has said the findings of the inquiry, which would also be conducted in Harare, would be used as a benchmark of a course of action that would be applied in all councils countrywide.
According to a notice that the commission issued in the media last month, the investigation is done in terms of Section 28 (2) of the Competition Act (Chapter 14:28).
The notice stated that council was being investigated over allegations of monopoly in the provision of the municipal economic services through the imposition of excessive charges on water, rates and levies to consumers of the utilities and services it provides.
At the moment the Bulawayo City Council is swimming in debts due to poor revenue inflows. The development has been partly attributed to resistance to pay rates by residents, who are complaining of poor service and huge tariffs.
At some point the council resorted to taking legal action by attaching defaulters’ property in order to force residents to pay.
The commission has also said a similar investigation would be extended to private abattoirs, who are accused of conducting business in a “restrictive” manner.
Online Reporter