MUTARE mayor Blessing Tandi has called for dialogue between ratepayers and council after residents’ debt with the local authority ballooned to $52 million.
BY KENNETH NYANGANI
“There is no need to be confrontational against each other (residents and council). It is a long journey and it starts with a single step; there is need for strong engagement and we have been meeting our residents from time to time,” Tandi said yesterday.
“Our engagements also started with budgetary consultations, where our residents also contributed. I want also to say that we are owed $52 million by residents and businesses.
“Residents owe Mutare City Council $40 million, while the remaining $12 million is owed by the commercial sector such as industry and churches.”
In 2016, the municipality was owed almost $30 million by defaulting residents and business.
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The local authority has, in the past, threatened to attach properties of defaulting residents and companies.
Tandi said council was also dealing with water challenges in some parts of the city, with the Dangamvura main water pipeline upgrade on the cards.