Council salaries to gobble $116m

Harare City Council has budgeted to spend $116 million in salaries and allowances next year.

Council last week proposed a $345, 7 million budget which is subject to approval by the Local Government ministry.

"The payroll costs will be keenly monitored on a monthly basis, with the necessary cuts being effected as and when necessary," said acting chairperson of council's finance committee Luckson Mukunguma.

Harare's debtors book has ballooned to $526 million while creditors book is at $395 million.

The bulk of the money is owed to ZIMRA, National Social Security Authority (NSSA), ZESA and the Local Authorities Pension Fund (LAPF).