via Govt owes councils US$50m – The Zimbabwe Independent October 16, 2015
GOVERNMENT owes over US$50 million to the country’s major municipalities, Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, and Masvingo as arrears for service delivered — resulting in the local authorities’ day-to-day operations being crippled.
Wongai Zhangazha
Masvingo is owed the largest chunk with the mayor Hubert Fidze revealing that government debt stands at US$28 million. Most of the debt was accumulated at the Zimbabwe National Army’s 4.1 and 4.2 barracks and the Zimbabwe Republic Police. The army owes about US$9 million, while ZRP owes close to US$3 million. “When we try to engage government they say they don’t have the money and say they can only get it from Treasury. However, they need the services. At least if they give us US$5 million it’s enough to deliver most of our obligations and services as the city fathers,” Fidze said.
Harare City Council’s finance and development committee chairperson Councilor Tranos Moyo said they were owed US$13 million by various government departments.
“Government is not paying and they say they are facing financial challenges. Prepaid water meters should actually be installed first at government departments, that’s the only way we can get money from them,” Moyo said. Government debt for the City of Bulawayo at the end of August stood at US$3,5 million.
Mutare Mayor Tatenda Nhamarare said outstanding debts by government are currently close to US$1 million.
“Three months ago it was slightly above one million dollars, and government paid some of it,” said Nhamarare.
Gweru was owed US$6,7 million as of December last year.
COMMENTS
It’s very unfair what this Zanu-Pf government is doing to Zimbabweans. They live in world of their own right there in Zimbabwe. On one hand they blame sanctions on the other hand they splash money in the party celebrations and lifestyles like sand. People in Bulawayo are paying water bills they do not know anything about. Those who can’t pay are having their furniture and belongings looted while the government gets away with not only murder but with burdening its own citizens with bills they do not owe. I pity them. God has heard the cry of the people of Zimbabwe. This is God’s time not the politician’s time to be oppressing God’s people. Corruption will be swept away by God’s power like never before!
They are broke – and its us citizens that suffer!! Oh by the way we pay rates for very little service delivery!!