George Makunde, the town clerk, told The Zimbabwean that on average each household owed $200. Each household is charged about $19,77 per month. “Some residents hide behind the banner of politics to avoid paying rates, as they would be protected by political institutions should council take legal action against them,” said Makunde.
He said he could not understand how people could expect service delivery from local authorities without paying rates. The council has engaged debt collectors to recover the $27 million owed by government institutions and residents.
Chitungwiza needs $2 million per month to pay its 1,720 workers’ salaries, but collects only $500,000 to $800,000 a month in revenue.
Before the 2013 elections, Ignatius Chombo, Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, ordered all local authorities to write off what they were owed by ratepayers.
This instruction crippled local authority activities as they were left with no funds for service delivery.
Ratepayers have since stopped paying rates to councils as they expect another amnesty ahead of 2018 elections.
Harare City had to write off $330 million following Chombo’s instruction.
Post published in: News
The question is when people where paying rates did they receive services, if my guess is considered you may find that this is a justified protest by rate payers for lack of service delivery. These council have done nothing but buy luxary cars
The question is when people where paying rates did they receive services, if my guess is considered you may find that this is a justified protest by rate payers for lack of service delivery. These council have done nothing but buy luxary cars