. . . City owed $1,5 trillion

A FINANCIAL crisis is looming at Harare City Council, with ratepayers owing the city a staggering $1,5 trillion due to a dysfunctional revenue collection system.

The massive debt is compromising service delivery in the capital city, with the local authority struggling to collect rates for essential services like water, garbage collection and sanitation.

Council’s inability to collect revenue was also hindering its ability to maintain infrastructure, pay workers and invest in critical services.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Harare Town Clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango said: “While we are focusing on service delivery, there is concern on the box of revenues.

“The city was owed $783,2 billion by all ratepayers and the figure has increased to $1,5 trillion as of February 29, 2024.

“While the Zimbabwe dollar figure is increasing, the value of the debt continues to go down due to the movement of the exchange rate.

“The December 2023 debt had a value of US$132,95 million, while in February it had reduced to US$101,28 million.”

Residents, however, believe the local authority’s billing is fictitious since it is based on estimates and non-existent services.

Budiriro resident, Mr Tinashe Mangachena, said the council had failed to provide basic services.

“The way they charge the monthly bill isn’t even normal,”he said.

“For example, the city doesn’t even supply us with water, but their bills have massive charges for water provision.

“Sometimes their bills are based on estimates, which are very exorbitant, and as a resident, I will not pay until they deliver proper services.