Ratepayers owe Kwekwe City Council $804mln

Kwekwe (The Times-New Zianaa)-Kwekwe City Council is owed over ZWL$800 million by its residents and other ratepayers, while it owes creditors over ZWL$140 million.

Residents and ratepayers’ bills have been ballooning during the Covid-19 induced lockdown which incapacitated most households, a development which also affected council’s service delivery.

Kwekwe mayor Councillor Future Titora said as at t August 31, residents and companies owed council a total of $804 million.

She said some of the major debtors were big companies which include Redcliff Municipality which owe them$67.7million, Ziscosteel($19 million). Lancashire Steel ($8.8 million), Zimasco ($7.4 million) and Tor Steel ($7.1 million).

She urged debtors to approach council with a payment plan so that they won’t drag each other to the courts for legal recourse.

“We continuously engage our debtors and encourage them to have payment plans with us. In addition, we also have a debt collection unit, which uses various strategies to recover debts owed,” said Councillor Titora.

“We will continue to encourage our ratepayers to pay their bills so that they get uninterrupted quality service delivery.”

The city needs revenue to pay workers, purchase water treatment chemicals and new service vehicles for the smooth running of the city.

Meanwhile, Kwekwe City Council creditors bill has ballooned to $148.1 million.

The Mayor said council is however, managing to service its creditors’ bill despite low revenue inflow.

“We have payment plans with our major creditors which we are honouring,” said Cllr. Titora.

In 2013 most people had their bills slashed by the government and there were high expectations that there would be another reprieve from the Second Republic as most residents and companies were affected by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Times – New Ziana