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Harare residents have urged the city council to remove the 10 percent interest rate charged on overdue accounts, insisting they were struggling to pay their bills and the interest was an additional burden on them.
Speaking during a tour of the city’s district offices, Combined Harare Residents’ Association senior programmes officer Mr Tendai Muchada said charging interest on overdue accounts was inconsistent with the spirit of public entities management.
“Public entities are supposed to be breaking even, hence it is inconsistent with their duties to charge interest since they are not expected to make a profit.
“It does not satisfy public accountability.
“We are currently faced with economic challenges and residents are struggling to pay their bills.
“People do not have the money; our economy is mostly informal. The city should take austerity measures taking into account that people are struggling,” he said.
Harare Residents Alliance vice chairperson Ms Kudzai Kadzombe said charging interest on overdue accounts was something council did without consulting.
“They have no basis to charge interest. Residents understand them when they fail to provide basic services which they pay for.
“It is cruel on their part to charge interest, overburdening residents who are already struggling and are not able to pay the bill itself. The problem with council is that they also impose payment plans on residents when they approach them to settle their debts,” she said.
Harare Residents Trust senior community co-ordinator Ms Regina Bakuri said council does not subtract any money from the bill if it fails to provide services billed for hence, it should not charge any interest.
“We are getting poor service, but as residents we understand, we do not put council to task or request that they subtract the money charged for refuse collection if for example, refuse is not collected for a month.
“It is not motivational for residents to pay bills given the poor service delivery we are being offered. Our parents used to settle their bills because they were satisfied with the service they used to get.
“For example sewer blockages have become the order of the day in Mufakose with council workers taking time to respond to calls. Res idents are now worried that there would be a disease outbreak,” she said.
She said the city should consider replacing the sewer pipes which were put in place more than 30 years ago.
Online Reporter