Harare City Council to name and shame ratepayers to recover millions in debts

The Harare City Council will resort to naming and shaming ratepayers who owe them money in order to recover hundreds of millions in debts.

The local authority has said it is owed over ZiG940 million and it is contemplating naming and shaming the various debtors, in unpaid bills in an effort to recover the money.

In a statement, the local authority said the debtors include residents, businesses, parastatals and government departments, among others.

“This is money is needed to run the City operations and service delivery operations. We have since started issuing final demands and summons to our debtors,” it said.

“The summons will be served on all our debtors without fear or favour. The City will also embark on a name and shame exercise to encourage debtors to settle if they fail to honour their payments.”

To avoid the inconveniences of being taken to court with the possibility of losing property like houses, the local authority urged debtors to immediately settle their bills.

Last week, town clerk Hosiah Chisango told the media that they have issued more than 1 000 court summons to residents and businesses to recover part of the ZiG940 million.

He said the intention was to issue not less than 2 000 summons each week.

Chisango said the debt was choking council operations, leaving it with no choice, but to take legal steps.

He added that the move was being taken in line with Sections 279 and 281 of the Urban Councils Act, which empowers local authorities to institute legal proceedings to recover debts. New Ziana