BCC owed $100 million, owes $99 million

Bulawayo City Council is in financial doldrums due to growing list of creditors while debtors are, at the same time not paying their dues, Parliament heard yesterday.

Acting town clerk, Sikhangele Zhou said that parliamentary portfolio on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing that the country's second largest city is sitting on a $99 million debt to various state institutions and organisations while it is owed more than $100 million by government, industries and individuals.

The financial situation at the local authority, according to Zhou, has resulted in council failing to pay its workers in time, and now owes them over $3 million.

In her presentation chaired by Zanu-PF MP Irene Zindi said council had engaged various creditors for a payment plan, especially those linked to the state, as their cash inflows was dire.