BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) is owed over US$5 million by ratepayers, council finance and development chairperson Tawanda Ruzive has said.
“In terms of what we are owed, it’s around $20 billion in local currency, which when converted gives us about US$5 million,” he said.
Ruzive said failure by its debtors to clear all their outstanding bill was affecting council’s ability to provide services efficiently and clear its debt with various creditors.
He said residents would receive United States dollar-indexed bills starting August.
“Basically, we will start billing in forex from August. Those who want to pay might pay in US dollars with an alternative of paying the bills in local currency equivalent,” the council finance and development chairperson said.
Council at one time opted to name and shame defaulters in various suburbs.
The local authority went on to compile a list of all 29 wards, detailing payment patterns by residents.
Council is also planning to introduce flow-limiter devices restricting households who fail to pay rates to a mere five kilolitres of water per day as opposed to water disconnection to avoid litigation.
- Uproar over census figures
- Byo Arts Festival in turmoil…One year later, festival has yet to pay artists…Organisers play cat and mouse with artists
- Bulawayo struggles to clear housing backlog
- Council acts tough on debts
