BCC records a drop in income collection

Bulawayo City Council has expressed concerns that it has recorded a drop in its revenue collection for September compared to August.

According to council's latest minutes the Financial Director submitted made the submissions during the full council meeting on the developments.

"The matter was considered and Councillor R.D. Jele referred to the cash receipts table/schedule and said that collections ($5 million) for the month of August, 2015 were lower than for the previous month ($7 million). There was need to establish the cause for this scenario so that corrective measures were taken as appropriate," reads the minutes.

"Councillor Nephat Sibanda concurred saying that the water disconnection exercise for nonpayment should be an on going exercise, as it coerced residents to pay. The Chairman (Councillor J. Sithole) observed that in Ward 7 there was no outcry from residents when water was disconnected. Perhaps people had alternative sources where to get water."

The minutes states that he further said that there was need for Councillors to encourage residents to pay rates/rentals as they fall due. Success of a budget depended on residents paying.