Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
GWERU City Council has tightened screws against debtors to boost revenue collection as residents and other ratepayers owe the council more than US$18 million.
The sharp increase of defaulters has prompted the council to enforce debt collection measures to recover the money owed.
In 2019, the local authority had to engage the Harare Institute of Technology to help recover over US$62 million owed by residents and businesses.
The institute provided an automated payment plan system to strengthen the council’s debt collection process. Recently, the local authority took stricter measures such as attaching residents’ properties and imposing a five percent interest on outstanding debts. Despite these efforts, the debt has continued to balloon, with residents owing over US$18 million in unpaid bills.
The Mayor, Councillor Martin Chivhoko, in an address to the residents following the approval of the 2025 budget by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, said council’s decision to enforce debt collection is meant to improve revenue collection.
“I would also like to bring to your attention that council was owed US$17,33 million in December 2024 and the amount has increased to US$18,88 million as of 31 January 2025,” he said.
Clr Chivhoko said the budget was approved on condition that council rigorously enforce debt collection this year.
“I therefore urge all debtors to clear their arrears to avoid being victims of debt collection blitz,” he said.
Clr Chivhoko said the 2025 budget, which stands at US$55 million, has been approved and council was committed to improving service delivery.
He emphasised that the local authority’s operations rely heavily on funds from ratepayers, stressing that timely bill payment is crucial if council is to provide the required services.
“As we move forward, I want to emphasise that the engine of our local authority is fuelled by the money we receive from ratepayers. I therefore urge all ratepayers to pay their bills promptly to enable us to deliver the services and develop the city,” he said.
Clr Chivhoko said council was working flat out to meet the 2024 audit statutory deadlines and also fill vacant positions.
“We have already conducted interviews for the Town Clerk and the Director of Housing and Community Services. We now await interviews for the Chamber Secretary,” he said.
Clr Chivhoko said the bulk of the budget will be allocated towards Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) activities, which are critical to the health and well-being of the residents.
Additionally, he said the local authority will be investing in capital projects, with a major focus on addressing the poor state of the city’s roads.
“We acknowledge the challenges faced by our residents due to the condition of our roads and assure you that we are committed to finding lasting solutions. We will work tirelessly to ensure that our roads are repaired and maintained to the highest standards,” he said.
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