City’s billing system slammed

THE Harare Residents Trust has slammed Harare City Council over its centralised financial management system which makes Rowan Martin the only place where disgruntled ratepayers have to go for correction of erroneous billing or even to provide proof of electronic payments.

In a statement, HRT said the city’s financial system should be decentralised so that it is readily accessible and available in the communities where ratepayers live.

The condemnation from HRT comes as the city on June 8 issued a statement advising ratepayers to take their Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) proof of payment to Rowan Martin Building so that council processes their receipts.

“HRT urges the City of Harare to address its billing system by totally decentralising it so that the residents, wherever they are, have convenience when they want to pay or check their bills,” said HRT.

“In light of the above issues concerning the city’s billing system, HRT urges the City of Harare to address its billing system by totally decentralising it so that the residents wherever they are have convenience when they want to pay or check their bills.

“How they fail to do this boggles the mind, because as far as we are concerned in the HRT, the City of Harare has some of the highest paid workers in Zimbabwe, yet they are reluctant to do their proper work.

“Instead, they want it easiest, despite it being the greatest inconvenience that they can bring to the life of a ratepayer.”

HRT said residents should have the convenience of paying their bills electronically or at their local district council offices.