News / National
Chombo rules out use of debt collectors by councils
27 Mar 2013 at 05:12hrs | Views
THE Government will not allow local authorities to use the services of debt collectors to recover their debts from ratepayers, the Minister of Local Government Rural and Urban Development Dr Ignatius Chombo has said.
Speaking at a press conference at the launch of the National Water Policy document in Victoria Falls on Friday Dr Chombo said hiring debt collectors was inhuman.
"There is need for water users to pay for water they use. When you use water, you should pay for it and those who are failing to pay should use water sparingly. Those who are not able to pay, they should also approach their local authorities and make payments plans and should genuinely make an effort to settle their debts.
"There are some ratepayers who have not approached the local authorities for payment plans and this has resulted in local authorities using debt collectors to recover their monies. I have a problem with that move since I have a problem with them. "They are sent to collect for example $42, but they will require $172 from the ratepayer just to collect the $42 owed to council. This is an inhuman way of collecting debt and local authorities should desist from using them," said Dr Chombo.
He said local authorities should have a special relationship with the people they are serving to avoid such actions adding that debt write off was not a real option.
Dr Chombo said some ratepayers were in arrears dating back to 2009.
"Councillors should have monthly feedback meetings with the people who elected them into office. Such meetings will generate trust between the two parties and may result in genuine payment plans.
"The problem is when councillors are elected in office, they just seat in their offices and fail to get back to the people. Councillors and council officials should do their work and should always relate to their ratepayers rather than seeking services of debt collectors," said Dr Chombo.
Speaking at a press conference at the launch of the National Water Policy document in Victoria Falls on Friday Dr Chombo said hiring debt collectors was inhuman.
"There is need for water users to pay for water they use. When you use water, you should pay for it and those who are failing to pay should use water sparingly. Those who are not able to pay, they should also approach their local authorities and make payments plans and should genuinely make an effort to settle their debts.
"There are some ratepayers who have not approached the local authorities for payment plans and this has resulted in local authorities using debt collectors to recover their monies. I have a problem with that move since I have a problem with them. "They are sent to collect for example $42, but they will require $172 from the ratepayer just to collect the $42 owed to council. This is an inhuman way of collecting debt and local authorities should desist from using them," said Dr Chombo.
Dr Chombo said some ratepayers were in arrears dating back to 2009.
"Councillors should have monthly feedback meetings with the people who elected them into office. Such meetings will generate trust between the two parties and may result in genuine payment plans.
"The problem is when councillors are elected in office, they just seat in their offices and fail to get back to the people. Councillors and council officials should do their work and should always relate to their ratepayers rather than seeking services of debt collectors," said Dr Chombo.
Source - TC
