Chikomba RDC, residents at loggerheads over debts

Goden Marume

CHIVHU – Chivhu residents and Chikomba Rural District Council (RDC) are at loggerheads over payment of outstanding debts with the former saying they will not pay until council improves on service delivery.

Council issued letters of demand of payment through its lawyers, Mangwana and Partners Legal Practitioners, recently but residents insist that they will not pay their outstanding balances until the local authority improves service delivery.

The letter of demand gave residents a two weeks ultimatum of which failure to pay will see the council dragging them to court.

“We hereby demand that you pay the said amount, plus $13 for this letter of demand and 10% collection commission within fourteen (14) days from date of this letter. If you fail to pay, we shall take this matter to court and you will be made to pay more legal expenses,”  reads part of the letter.

Ratepayers who spoke to TellZim News, however, vowed that they will not pay until the council improves service delivery.

“There is breach of contract from both parties. When the town council promised to deliver adequate services it failed and the ratepayers stopped paying. Residents used to pay rates, but they stopped after council failed to provide quality service delivery,” said Fungai Mamvura from M-section. 

Another ratepayer identified as Mafika said; “The council never gave us notices neither did they consult us first before rushing to engage lawyers, after all what services are they offering?”

Chikomba RDC Chief Executive officer (CEO), Luckson Mutara, declined to comment on the matter but hastened to say they have scheduled a meeting with ratepayers to discuss the matter.

“I ca not disclose most of the information over the phone because of security reasons. Last time there were issues of abductions so I prefer face to face conversation. We have agreed to hold meetings with ratepayers to discuss the matter,” said Mutara.news