THE cash-strapped Harare City Council yesterday introduced a 30% discount for debtors who will strive to settle their arrears in full by year end.
MOSES MATENGA STAFF REPORTER
City spokesperson Leslie Gwindi said all debtors must approach council with payment plans and guidelines on how to benefit from the discount.
“A number of measures have been put in place to entice debtors to pay their outstanding bills. These include the 30% discount to big debtors, water disconnections, use of debt collectors, pay-offs and negotiated settlements,” he said.
Harare is owed $291 million by government, satellite towns such as Norton, Ruwa and Chitungwiza, business and residents.
“Council has passed a landmark resolution that seeks to empower communities. Each district will now retain 10% of all revenue collected in their area for local development projects such as street lighting, and painting of public amenities such as halls and crèches,” Gwindi said.
Meanwhile, the local authority has also introduced a shuttle bus service between the city’s four major bus ranks for the convenience of the commuting public. The shuttle buses are being run by a group of omnibus owners. “In line with the policy to regulate the movement of public transport, council has designated six pick and drop points to be used by the shuttle service,” council said in a statement. “The shuttle service will pick and drop passengers along Fifth Street at the Fourth Street Bus Rank, corner Fourth and Jason Moyo, Food World (between Angwa and Orr Street), Chinhoyi and Speke Avenue, Bute and Abercon Street and at TM Supermarket along Kenneth Kaunda Avenue.” Drivers of the shuttle service are identifiable by reflector bibs written “Shuttle Service” on the back and front.
