BCC disconnecting water supplies to induce bill payment

The city council [BCC] has threatened to intensify its blitz on rate defaulters, disconnecting water supplies to induce payment.

Last month, the local authority embarked on a massive water disconnection exercise to force consumers to settle their bills now estimated at $62 million.

The latest council report revealed that water disconnections were being used as a tool to induce payment.

"Water disconnections were currently being used as a tool to induce payment for council's services," reads the report.

"That arrangement must remain in place to effectively deal with the issue of arrears."

The local authority last month disconnected water supplies from defaulting residents in areas such as Gwabalanda, Emganwini and Nkulumane in the high density suburbs as well as in Hillside and Hillcrest, in the low density areas.

BCC is owed $61,8 million by residents, industry and government departments. About $54 million are overdue balances dating back to February 2009.

The local authority has soaring debts, including $9,2 million owed to the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority.

Deputy mayor Amen Mpofu urged council to intensify revenue collection and identify other income-generating sources to bail out the local authority.