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Gweru residents petition council over debt blitz
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Gweru residents have petitioned the local authority to postpone a planned revenue collection blitz - which includes water disconnections and possible property attachments - from today to June 16, 2025, to allow time for dialogue and payment arrangements.
In a letter dated May 16 addressed to the town clerk, Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) director Cornelia Selipiwe appealed for a deferment of the council's debt recovery campaign, originally scheduled to run from May 19 to 23.
"While we fully appreciate council's need to secure revenue for vital services, we respectfully request that you consider postponing the blitz period for residential accounts," Selipiwe wrote.
He argued that the notice period was too short and did not give residents adequate time to prepare. He also cited widespread financial hardship among residents and proposed that the council adopt a more consultative approach by offering payment plans and community dialogue before launching aggressive enforcement measures.
"Water disconnection and lock-outs without an extended grace period risk disrupting essential household services and adversely impacting vulnerable groups," Selipiwe said.
He recommended that the council defer the residential enforcement measures by four weeks to begin on June 16. During this time, he said, the local authority should organise ward-based outreach clinics to help residents address account queries, regularise licensing, and arrange flexible payment plans.
Selipiwe also proposed the introduction of a debt-tier categorisation system, which would distinguish between residents who consistently pay their bills and those who have defaulted for extended periods.
"Short postponement coupled with strengthened communication strategies will lead to more effective debt recovery and preserve uninterrupted service delivery," he added.
The appeal comes in response to a public notice issued by the Gweru City Council on May 7, which advised residents of the upcoming blitz targeting both residential and commercial debtors.
"During this period, enforcement teams will focus on residential debt collection (water and rate bills), commercial debt collection and licensing compliance for businesses," the notice stated.
Council officials are yet to publicly respond to the residents' request for postponement. However, the matter is expected to generate debate, as residents continue to grapple with high utility bills amid economic challenges.
In a letter dated May 16 addressed to the town clerk, Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) director Cornelia Selipiwe appealed for a deferment of the council's debt recovery campaign, originally scheduled to run from May 19 to 23.
"While we fully appreciate council's need to secure revenue for vital services, we respectfully request that you consider postponing the blitz period for residential accounts," Selipiwe wrote.
He argued that the notice period was too short and did not give residents adequate time to prepare. He also cited widespread financial hardship among residents and proposed that the council adopt a more consultative approach by offering payment plans and community dialogue before launching aggressive enforcement measures.
"Water disconnection and lock-outs without an extended grace period risk disrupting essential household services and adversely impacting vulnerable groups," Selipiwe said.
Selipiwe also proposed the introduction of a debt-tier categorisation system, which would distinguish between residents who consistently pay their bills and those who have defaulted for extended periods.
"Short postponement coupled with strengthened communication strategies will lead to more effective debt recovery and preserve uninterrupted service delivery," he added.
The appeal comes in response to a public notice issued by the Gweru City Council on May 7, which advised residents of the upcoming blitz targeting both residential and commercial debtors.
"During this period, enforcement teams will focus on residential debt collection (water and rate bills), commercial debt collection and licensing compliance for businesses," the notice stated.
Council officials are yet to publicly respond to the residents' request for postponement. However, the matter is expected to generate debate, as residents continue to grapple with high utility bills amid economic challenges.
Source - newsday
