News / Local
BCC under fire for auctioning residents' property
04 Apr 2012 at 16:08hrs | Views
The Bulawayo City Council has come under fire over its resolution to auction household property to recover more than $34 million it is owed by residents in unsettled debt.
BCC last week auctioned property belonging to 16 residents who had failed to settle their bills after auctioning property worth $3,3 million belonging to defaulting red\sident in January.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents' Association (BPRA) co-ordinator Rodrick Fayayo sais in a statement, "BPRA believes the move indicates the city fathers have no regard for the plight of residents they serve and are not in touch with the reality people are experiencing difficulties meeting their obligations due to the economic crisis the country is facing.
"BPRA is also disturbed to note that while council is owed money not only by residents, but also by scores of commercial operators and government departments, none of the latter's property is reported to have been attached or sold at the auctions."
"It seems then the city fathers are practising double standards and preying on vulnerable residents.
Fayayo added, "BPRA thus questions why it is easy for city fathers to deprive already struggling residents of the little property they own before going after bigger debtors or even taking time to sit them down to discuss alternatives for debt recovery. The association proposes the municipality should hold consultative meetings around the city's 29 wards to highlight the issue of debts, challenges council is facing due to them and what methods residents can employ to clear their debts.
"BPRA believes council has failed to sufficiently engage with residents on how debts can be dealt with."
Contacted for comment, Bulawayo Mayor Thaba Moyo defended teh move by council saying it was their only alternative to recover the money.
BCC last week auctioned property belonging to 16 residents who had failed to settle their bills after auctioning property worth $3,3 million belonging to defaulting red\sident in January.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents' Association (BPRA) co-ordinator Rodrick Fayayo sais in a statement, "BPRA believes the move indicates the city fathers have no regard for the plight of residents they serve and are not in touch with the reality people are experiencing difficulties meeting their obligations due to the economic crisis the country is facing.
"BPRA is also disturbed to note that while council is owed money not only by residents, but also by scores of commercial operators and government departments, none of the latter's property is reported to have been attached or sold at the auctions."
"It seems then the city fathers are practising double standards and preying on vulnerable residents.
Fayayo added, "BPRA thus questions why it is easy for city fathers to deprive already struggling residents of the little property they own before going after bigger debtors or even taking time to sit them down to discuss alternatives for debt recovery. The association proposes the municipality should hold consultative meetings around the city's 29 wards to highlight the issue of debts, challenges council is facing due to them and what methods residents can employ to clear their debts.
"BPRA believes council has failed to sufficiently engage with residents on how debts can be dealt with."
Contacted for comment, Bulawayo Mayor Thaba Moyo defended teh move by council saying it was their only alternative to recover the money.
Source - Byo24News
