The council owes its workers a staggering $3m in unpaid wages, but has renewed all its 300 contract workers – translating to a total workforce of 1,700 – despite struggling to pay its employees.
This means that close to 30 per cent of the council’s 2014 expenditure will be consumed by salaries.
The local authority is also running at a debt of $5m, which it owes to various contractors. The Zimbabwe National Water Authority recently cut its water supply to the council because of a $370,000 debt.
The council needs $1.7m to repair its traffic lights and $13m to upgrade its water and sanitation, but has not received adequate funding for these outstanding projects from the government.
Only $3m was forthcoming for the construction of its three water pipelines to supply suburbs and ease perennial water shortages. Around $850,000 is needed to complete the project.
Income is lower than necessary because the council cancelled the $20m it was owed by ratepayers in line with the government directive.
The city council depends on revenue generated from ratepayers to pay its workers and sustain its operations. Its main source of revenue is water bills, but the council can’t account for 53 per cent of its water supply due to leaks and malfunctioning water readers.
“Our water and sewer department produces about 75,000 mega litres of water a day. From this amount, we are failing to account for 53 per cent of our water supplied to residents,” said the city engineer Donald Nyatoti. “This means that we are effectively billing a mere 47 per cent of our water, which has resulted in the loss of revenue.”
Town clerk Obert Muzawazi also confirmed that they owe their employees $3m in unpaid salaries and wages.
The city human resources manager, Aaron Chemvura, confirmed that they had renewed 300 contract workers despite facing a huge wage bill.
Post published in: News