…Victoria High is the worst among schools
Tell Reporter
Masvingo City Council (MCC)’s top 15 debtors have been exposed with the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) topping the list as it owes the local authority nearly nine million dollars, Tell Zimbabwe can reveal.
According to information gathered by this publication recently, ZNA owes US$ 8 785 686 while Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) comes second with US$ 2 804 145. The Zimbabwe Prisons Services (ZPS) is the third highest debtor and will have to pay US$ 1 898 674 in order to clear its debt.
The embattled Cold Storage Company (CSC) is placed fourth with a debt of US$ 1 070 o58 while Masvingo Technical College follows closely with a debt of US$ 557 177.
As if not to be outdone, Masvingo Teachers College which houses Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) main campus is placed at sixth position with a debt of US$ 364 830.
Reliable sources at council revealed that Grain Marketing Board (GMB) is at number seven with a debt of US$ 221 572 and the Ministry of Local Government comes in eighth position with a debt of US$ 190 572 while National Railway of Zimbabwe (NRZ) is at the ninth position with debt of US$ 153 837.
On the tenth position is the Masvingo General Hospital which will have to pay US$ 144 217 to clear the debt.
Following closely is Zanu PF’s traditional home of meetings – the Chiefs hall which owes council US$ 90 529 while the Provincial Education Director (PED)’s office is struggling to pay US$ 35 881.
Placed at the 13th position is the DDF Training Centre with a debt of US$ 34 862. Although People’s Shop run by Masvingo Informal Traders Association (MITA)’s exact debt could not be established by the time of going to press, sources told Tell Zimbabwe that the Gilbert Chikwata led organization will have to look for not less than US$ 30 000 in order to pay off the debt. In fact several warning letters were written to Chikwata but he is reluctant to pay for the services rendered to People’s Shop.
At the 15th position is Provincial Medical Director (PMD)’s office which owes Masvingo’s council US$ 4 413.
Victoria High is the worst among schools
In the schools section, Victoria High School which used to be one of the best secondary schools in Masvingo proves to be the most notorious debtor with a debt amounting to US$ 100 472.
In this section, Victoria High is in its own league as the second highest debtor Shakashe Primary School will only have to look for about US$ 6 226.
Tell Zimbabwe is reliably informed that Ndarama High School is the third debtor with US$ 5 088 while Hellen McGhie Primary need to pay US$ 4 991. Victoria Primary is number five with a debt of US$ 4 880 followed by Runyararo Primary which will need to pay US$ 3 804. Dikwindi Primary School is placed on seventh position with US$ 2 934 followed by Vurombo Primary which will have to pay US$ 2 385.
On number nine is Mucheke High while Chikato Primary becomes number ten debtor among schools with US$ 1 585 and US$ 1 046 respectively.
According to information gathered by Tell Zimbabwe Christian College is number 11 with a debt of US$ 936 while Rujeko Primary school becoming the best school in terms of paying debts as it only owes US$ 23.
Mayor says efforts to get money from debtors remain fruitless
Mayor Cllr Hubert Fidze
City mayor Cllr Hubert Fidze said the city council has tried to engage all the institutions over the debts but to no avail.
“As the council we have engaged all the institutions that owe us but it has been difficult because they all say they do not have the money to pay. They have even failed to come up with payment plans.
“I want to make it clear that as the council we are doing our level best to get our money. We have even sent a team to engage the Finance minister to secure debts owed by government institutions”, said Fidze.
Fidze said all the efforts they have taken so far have been fruitless since the same song of no money is repeated over and over again.
“We have tried negotiations but they have been fruitless since they are saying there is no money. This has left the council crippled in as far as effective service delivery is concerned”, added Fidze.local
