Gweru gives residents 14 days to clear bills

The Gweru City Council has given residents and ratepayers a 14-day deadline to settle outstanding municipal bills or face legal action, as the local authority grapples with a debt burden exceeding ZiG$1.2 billion.

Mayor Martin Chivhoko issued the warning during a full council meeting on Monday, saying the city urgently needs revenue to sustain service delivery and improve operations.

Chivhoko urged residents who have concerns or disputes regarding their accounts to visit council offices and resolve the issues before the June 30 deadline.

"It is regrettable that the new assistant director is taking up the role at a time when our debtors' book stands at over ZiG$1.2 billion," he said.

"For better service delivery, we need revenue and without the money, we are left with no option but to take legal action."

The mayor said residents with outstanding balances should either pay their debts in full or engage council officials to negotiate payment arrangements.

"If you owe the council, then from June 16, 2026, we are giving you a 14-day timeframe to clear your bills," Chivhoko said.

"For those residing in council houses, we are also giving you a 14-day timeframe to clear your bills.

"Failure to do so will result in the council repossessing the houses."

The warning comes as the city seeks to strengthen its financial position amid mounting operational costs and growing demand for municipal services.

During the same meeting, Chivhoko formally announced the appointment of Tendai Mhlanda Chigaba as the substantive assistant director of finance.

"It is therefore with great honour that I announce, on behalf of all councillors, the town clerk, Mr Livingstone Churu and the entire city management, the appointment of Ms Tendai Mhlanda Chigaba as the substantive assistant director of finance," he said.

The mayor said Chigaba emerged successful following a rigorous recruitment process and expressed confidence in her ability to improve the city's financial management systems.

He added that her leadership would be instrumental in helping the municipality address revenue collection challenges and strengthen financial discipline.

Meanwhile, the council has also announced a major public health initiative aimed at improving the early detection of tuberculosis (TB) in the city.

Chivhoko revealed that health workers will conduct a free door-to-door TB screening campaign in Mkoba, Mtapa and Senga suburbs from June through to the end of September.

"Tuberculosis remains a threat in our communities. The tragedy is not TB itself, but the late diagnosis that allows it to spread and claim lives unnecessarily," he said.

"To confront this challenge head-on, I am proud to announce a critical public health campaign running from June to the end of September 2026."

According to the mayor, the screening programme will be confidential and offered at no cost to residents.

Those requiring further medical attention will be referred to health facilities including Gweru Provincial Hospital, Gweru District Hospital, Mtapa Polyclinic, Senga Polyclinic, Mkoba 1 Clinic and Mkoba Polyclinic.

The council hopes the campaign will improve early diagnosis and treatment of TB while reducing transmission within communities.

The dual announcements underscore the city's efforts to tackle both financial and public health challenges as it seeks to improve service delivery and the wellbeing of residents.