VICTORIA Falls Municipality has scrapped off a $3,6 million debt owed by residents in line with a government directive that local authorities should write off debts.
Report by Nqobile Bhebhe
The affected bills should have been accrued between February 2009 and June 30 this year.
Most local authorities have complied, with some indicating that they have lost close to $50 million, a move that is likely to affect service delivery and payment of salaries.
The resort town’s acting town clerk Philip Ndlovu said they have written off $3,6million.
“The public is hereby notified that the municipality of Victoria Falls has fully complied with the government directive on domestic and individual debts,” he said.
“Bills of water, sewer, refuse and rates for individual households have been reversed as per the directive.
“Our August 2013 invoices or statements reflect as per the directive.
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“Anyone with queries can visit our treasury department for further clarifications.”
Ndlovu said the reversal did not affect businesses.
“Corporates and businesses are not included in this directive and are encouraged to settle their arrears and current bills to avoid unnecessary inconveniences,” he added.
In the run-up to the July 31 elections, Local Government Rural and Urban Development minister Ignatius Chombo directed local authorities to scrap all outstanding rates as at June 302013 in what many viewed as an attempt at urban vote-buying by Zanu PF.
Chombo said the move to scrap the monies was in line with Zanu PF’s pro-poor policy championed by President Robert Mugabe.
