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Rusape Town Council sues ZETDC for $1, 2 million

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RUSAPE Town Council has approached the High Court seeking an order compeling the ZETDC to pay over $1,2 million for rates, unit tax and levies.

RUSAPE Town Council (RTC) has approached the High Court seeking an order compeling the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) to pay over $1,2 million for rates, unit tax and levies.

BY CHARLES LAITON

According to the council, ZETDC is refusing to pay the amount, which has been accruing since last year.

“The defendant (ZETDC) has accrued a debt in the sum of $1 203 930 for the year 2014 and 2015, which amount is due and payable to the plaintiff (RTC) by the defendant,” RTC’s lawyers, Chiwanza and Partners said.

“The amount owed by the defendant is for rates, unit tax, levies, way leave charges and other charges.”

In its response to the claim, ZETDC, through its company secretary and legal advisor, Saidi Sangula said RTC and ZETDC were both government agencies and as such his firm was not obliged to pay another government entity.

“The plaintiff and the defendant are government agencies and the two cannot sue each other, as this is tantamount to the government suing itself,” ZETDC lawyers from Dube, Manikai and Hwacha said.

“The defendant will call Abel Nyanganu Gurupira, an engineering manager who will lead evidence that, in order to discharge its mandate, the defendant has various electricity transmission lines that cuts across the length and breadth of the country.

“Some of the lines and substations are located in the areas that fall under the jurisdiction of the plaintiff . . . the defendant [will call] the distribution service manager Siso Bukhosi, who will state that the defendant does not own the land through which its transmission lines pass through.

“These charges are unlawful and unsustainable and constitute a threat to its ability to service the country.”

The matter is still pending at the courts.