GWERU residents have petitioned council to postpone a revenue blitz, which will see water disconnection and attachment of properties for residents with outstanding bills scheduled for today, until Friday.
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association director Cornilia Selipiwe said the local authority should defer the blitz to June 16 and allow for dialogue and payment plans for residents.
"I write on behalf of concerned residents of Gweru regarding the public notice dated May 7, 2025, announcing a revenue blitz from 19 to 23 May aimed at recovering outstanding debts," wrote Selipiwe in a letter dated May 16 addressed to the town clerk.
"While we fully appreciate council's need to secure revenue for vital services, we respectfully request that you consider postponing the blitz period for residential
accounts."
Selipiwe cited inadequate notice period, financial hardships and opportunity for dialogue and payment plans as reasons for the request for postponement.
He said water disconnection and lock-out without an extended grace period risked disrupting essential household services and impacting on residents, particularly vulnerable groups.
"We kindly propose delaying the residential debt blitz by four weeks so that enforcement begins on Monday, June 16, 2025," he said.
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Selipiwe said June 16 council should organise ward outreach clinics to assist residents with account queries, licensing and payment plan arrangements, as well as implement a debt-tier categorisation system to differentiate residents who pay consistently and those who have not settled their bills for long periods.
"Short postponement coupled with strengthened communication strategies will lead to more effective debt recovery and preserve uninterrupted service delivery,” Selipiwe said.
In a notice dated May 7, council advised residents that it will conduct a revenue blitz from May 19 to May 23 aimed at recovering outstanding debts.
"During this period, enforcement teams will focus on residential debt collection (water and rate bills), commercial debt collection and licensing compliance for businesses,” the statement
read.
