Ratepayers owe Mudzi $263 million

MARONDERA- With Mudzi Rural District Council is owed $263 million in unpaid rates, licences and
levies by residents and other ratepayers and the local authority has devised strategies to recover its
dues.
The council’s chief executive officer Victor Nyamutswa highlighted that the failure by residents and
ratepayers to fulfill their obligation was hampering the council’s plans, thereby retarding efficient
service delivery in the process.
“As council, we are owed about $263 million and we are working flat out to devise mechanisms that
will result in residents and ratepayers pay for the services that they get. We are engaging those who
owe us and we are always making it clear that our doors are open for them to come and negotiate
payment plans.
“The dialogue method that we have been carrying out has seen some of our debtors clearing their
arrears. We urge others to follow suit.
“Residents should know that for us to be provide efficient service delivery, we need funds from them
and there is no way one can get services and renege on paying for that. There are businesses,
farmers and residents, among other ratepayers, who owe us varying amounts of money,” he said.
According to Nyamutswa, they had resorted to taking big entities to court to ensure that they are
made to pay while the council also engaged the services of enforcement officials who are making
physical visits to the debtors.
He added that for the council’s $4.8 billion budget to be sustainable, residents and ratepayers have
to play their part of the bargain by religiously paying their bills.
“For the 2023 financial year, our budget is $4.8 billion and it has since been approved by the parent
Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. The good thing is that we consulted all stakeholders
who include residents, the business community, small to medium enterprises, residents’ associations
and others.
“We explained our plans for the development of the district and the onus is now on them to play
their part towards the success of plans outlined in the budget,” he said.