Musa Makina
STUNNED by an incredible two months bill running over $20 million, Hwange Local Board (HLB) has heavily descended on residents and businesses ordering an immediate door to door debt collecting spree, as the local authority moves to recover its dues.
According to council, the record hefty bill was accrued between January and February this year.
“Our debt collectors have since embarked on a door to door debt collecting exercise, as part of our efforts to recover what is due to us in terms of rates. The exercise started on Monday and will be ongoing till we have covered all properties within our area of jurisdiction.
“We have realised that a number of property owners have been absconding paying rates for quite some time,” HLB public relations Dumisani Nsingo said Wednesday.
He said a number of rate payers have attributed their failure to visit revenue office for payment due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
“Thus through this exercise we are according property owners an opportunity or a service to pay at their doorsteps using various forms of payments.”
Nsingo however said the team of debt collectors will not be confrontational while going about their duties as they expect property owners to be cooperative during the process.
“The debt collectors will be accepting down payments as well as allowing property owners to negotiate for payment plans. The door to door debt collection exercise is also being extended to businesses, which are operating without valid trading licenses,” explained Nsingo.
He added: “The late payment by ratepayers has affected council efforts to meet its other obligation such as payment of salaries. It also has adverse effect on service delivery as well as completing our capital projects.”
