Chronicle Editor
Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority has lifted a garnishee order imposed on Chiredzi Town Council over its failure to settle a $1,2 million debt since 2009.
In an interview, acting town secretary Engineer Wesley Kauma said they finally agreed to pay a minimum of $40 000 to zimra every month under a stop order facility.
He said when their accounts were garnished, zimra collected more than $80 000.
“We have agreed with zimra on payment terms which resulted in the removal of the garnishee order, which was imposed on our accounts last week,” he said.
Eng Kauma said service provision had been restored, but challenged residents and the business community to settle their dues.
“We strongly appeal to residents, Government departments and the business community to own up to their payment plans they agreed with council,” he said.
Council is owed more than $3,5 million by residents and other ratepayers.
“We can clear all our arrears, be it with zimra and even our employees, if we collect all this money,” Eng Kauma said.
Chiredzi Residents and Rate Payers Association chairman Mr Jonathan Muusha, however, said residents would not pay for service until results of a probe to corruption are published.
The Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere launched the probe two years ago, but the results are yet to be made public.
“First, council will definitely struggle to collect all these monies they claim to be owed by residents because Minister Kasukuwere deployed a team to investigate council after we complained of corruption allegations, but up to now he has not said a word about the findings,” he said.
Mr Muusha said the fixed water charges which all residence are charged are not fair.
“Some wards such as Ward 5, 6 and 7, do not receive water at most times, but they are supposed to pay equal rates with people from Ward 3 and 4 ,who have tap water 24 hours a day,” Mr Muusha said.
No comment could be obtained from Minister Kasukuwere last week.
Online Reporter