…as council disconnects over 1000 properties from water supply
Beverly Bizeki
Masvingo City Council recently disconnected 1129 properties in the city from water supply, with councilors recently calling for severe measures to coerce residents into paying rates as well settling outstanding bills,
Minutes from the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on August 18 confirmed the developments, and in a recent full council meeting, councilors said they should be having an outcry from residents because of the disconnections if only council is diligently recouping debts.
“It was reported that a total of 1 129 properties were disconnected in July 2022 while 245 properties could not be accessed for disconnections due to locked gates. 206 properties had their water meters protected or submerged.
“Council team was denied access to 20 properties leaving the water connected. For the month of August 2022, the debt collection unit was targeting to collect a total of ZW$ 325 million,” read the minutes.
Speaking during a full council meeting on August 29 2022, Ward 7 councilor Richard Musekiwa said if revenue collection was being seriously pursued, they could be having an outcry by residents due to that and the reason why it was seemingly quiet was that council is not doing enough to make residents pay.
“If there was something going on in terms of serious revenue collection, we could have heard about it from residents. Usually those issues are discussed and it could have caught our attention.
“The quietness in the commonage translate to nothing being done in as far as revenue collection is concerned. The debt keeps on growing. We have got some outstanding projects like those of toilets that are supposed to be completed, but if management keeps on sitting on top a debt amounting to ZW$ 3 billion, then we are going nowhere.
“Failure to strictly collect the revenue ends up prejudicing other rate payers who honor their dues as they expect improved service after their payments,” said Musekiwa.
Ward 4 councilor Alec Tabe echoed the same sentiments and said council’s finance department should pull up their socks so that the funds council is owed can be used towards other projects that are in need of funding.
“Council is owed a lot of money by residents as well as other corporate organizations including government departments. My issue now is, what measures have management put in place to make sure that the revenue is collected before it loses value.
“There is need for us to move with time, ensure urgency in recouping debts because the hyperinflationary environment in the country would make it difficult for council to come up with something tangible from the money if it is collected later on.
“Residents demand services like clean water provision, consistent refuse collection among others and the only way council can be able to deliver is by having sufficient resources to do so and that compels residents to settle their bills timeously,” said Tabe.
He also said it is regrettable that the debt keeps on ballooning while revenue collectors are watching.
“If one looks at the revenue we are owed, it keeps on ballooning while we watch on. Those responsible should ensure they put in place mechanisms and other tight measures that will help encourage residents and institutions to settle their bills. There is need to continue urging those with outstanding bills to honor their dues.
“Bearing in mind that they expect efficient service delivery, they should also be reminded of their obligation and contribution towards such,” added Tabe.
Council Acting Finance Director Dannister Jori said management was doing its best and was soon to present a report to that effect.
“I have prepared a report that I would present to council management as well as the finance committee concerning revenue inflows,” said Jori.
Revenue collection is one key area that has seen most local authorities cracking heads as to how best they can compel residents to pay their dues with Masvingo City last year contemplating approaching the Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira to intervene as a way of forcing government departments with huge debts to settle them.
However, only ZW$ 8 million out of a total of ZW$ 27 million as deposit upon signing payment plans was collected.
“The low density debtor’s reconciliation showed a closing balance of ZW$ 1 104 082 371 while high density debtors had a closing balance of ZW$ 319 280 106 as at July 30, 2022. A collection efficiency of 54.51 percent was recorded for the month of July 2022,” added the minutes.
Council at one point suggested the rebasing of debts to the US$, a move met with stiff resistance from residents with resident group Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) writing a letter to council management threatening to sue the local authority as they felt the rebasement was illegal.
