City Of Harare | City issues summons to defaulting ratepayers

Residents who are not paying their monthly council bills are now being summoned to appear in court while others are being invited to make payment plans with council. Huge debtors are being blacklisted, a development that will affect them when they want to either open bank accounts, be vetted for board appointments and even get employment with organizations that track a person’s financial history. Council has set a three-month grace period within which residents should pay their outstanding bills before the debts can be converted into United States dollars to maintain value. Council is owed in excess of $17 billion in local currency. The money is losing value daily as it remains resident with the residents. When residents make payment plans to settle their bills, they “should ensure they pay their current monthly bills in addition to agreed settlement amount”. Head Communications Mr Michael Chideme said failure to pay bills was affecting service delivery as the city was finding it difficult to procure necessary resources like garbage trucks, road equipment and other items needed to provide services to the people. However, residents have begun to respond to the city calls to settle their bills easing the pressure on council. “We are happy with residents who are now settling their bills. We have distributed the January and February bills. We are now working on the March statements,” said Mr Chideme. He said residents with queries on their bills are free to approach council revenue offices for explanation and reconciliation.