Budiriro residents accuse council of taking properties over debts

Budiriro residents in Harare have reportedly complained that the Harare City Council has resorted to dispossessing them of their properties over the debts they owe the local authority.

Harare Residents Trust revealed that residents of Budiriro reported that their properties are being taken by City of Harare over debts.

"The same is happening in Hatfield where reports say water disconnections are rampant. Water is a right, and residents should not be punished for council's poor management of resources," said the trust. "Residents are paying for the whole bill. At what level is the council claiming that a person has not paid a bill for water when their bills are composite, covering fixed water, refuse, sewer, property tax and water consumption."

 The HRT said it will continue to urge residents to pay only what they can afford, and have put all irresponsible Councillors who are failing to represent the residents on notice that they will have to change their behaviour ahead of the next election.

"Residents cannot continue to elect people who do not utter a single word in defense of residents when the officials present their figures for endorsement," said the trust.