The Bulawayo City Council is battling to recover over US$500 000 owed by several government departments and has threatened to cut off water supplies, including those at the Imbizo military barracks. Bulawayo Mayor Patrick Thaba Moyo told Newsreel on Wednesday that their council had passed a resolution to cut water supplies to any individual or organization that was 3 monthsBut several councilors in the city, who spoke to our correspondent Lionel Saungweme, expressed reservations that the council would be able to carry out its threat to cut supplies at the army barracks. Many times before central government has intervened and put pressure on the council. The countrys inclusive government is struggling to raise money to finance its recovery programme with analysts blaming unresolved political issues for scaring potential investors and donors.
Mayor Moyo however refused to accept this excuse saying each government department that owed them money had received a budget allocation from the Ministry of Finance. The problem he feels is that council is viewed as a soft spot and the departments dont prioritize settling their bills with them.
Residents in several towns, including Harare, have complained that service charges and rates pegged in foreign currency, and demanded by local authorities, are beyond their reach. Harares Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda meanwhile was heavily criticized for agreeing to the purchase of an expensive Mercedes Benz vehicle for his use while council is struggling to provide adequate services. The residents association suggested the money could have been better used purchasing refuse collection vehicles.
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