Defaulting ratepayers cry foul

CHITUNGWIZA residents are miffed by the local authority’s decision to refuse taking payments from defaulting ratepayers whose cases have been referred to debt collectors.

The local authority recently engaged the services of Wellcash Debt Collectors in order to improve revenue collections.

However, the Harare Residents Trust (HRT) has urged the affected residents to ignore the directive.

“HRT urges Chitungwiza residents not to pay any cent to Wellcash Debt Collectors. If they have money to pay their bills, that money should only be paid at the Chitungwiza Municipality offices,” said the organisation on its Facebook page.

“This is the duty of the municipality to collect bills from residents using the procedures outlined in the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29.15).”

“This Nyikadzino (Chitungwiza’s acting finance director) is trying to make himself the council by refusing to accept money from the poverty-stricken residents at a time the council is reportedly broke and unable to pay workers. Whose interests is he serving?

“Residents should be allowed to pay whatever amount they have towards settling their outstanding bills or paying for their monthly due bills.”

Chitungwiza Municipality public relations officer Mr Lovemore Meya confirmed that they are currently referring