'Debt cancellation is for homes only'

The Harare City Council which has compelled by the government directive to write off debts accrued from 2009 to June 2013 has clarified that the debt cancellation by the government applies to domestic rates not industries and corporates.

In an interview, the business development director for the City of Harare Mr Cosmas Zvikaramba said domestic rate-payers will start receiving actual bills this August and are expected to settle them.

"The reprieve by the government on the debts is not extended to companies. It is meant to cushion the rate-payers and companies only benefit from the 30% discount that has been put in place since December. We are saying to our consumers pay up your bills so that we can improve on service delivery," said Zvikaramba.

Mr Zvikaramba urged Harare residents to pay their bills on time so that council can be able to provide an efficient service.

He said: "The city by-laws give us the powers to send final notices and disconnect those who are in arrears."

On the 23rd of July this year, Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo directed that all outstanding debts owed by rate-payers be written off by local authorities.

The debts that were cancelled are in the form of outstanding rentals, refuse charges, levies and rates prescribed in terms of the Prescription Act, Chapter 8:13V as from February 2009 to June 30, 2013.