Council hires debt collectors

THE Gokwe Rural District Council (RDC) has engaged debt collectors to recover more than $180 million from ratepayers in outstanding rates and tari payments.

Gokwe RDC acting nance director Tafadzwa Kwirirayi said the local authority was owed $182 846 751 by ratepayers.

“Council has come up with a number of strategies to recover the money from ratepayers. We now have ward-based revenue collectors, friendly debt collectors enforcing licensing,” Kwirirayi said.

Midlands Provincial A airs minister of State Paul Mavhima urged Gokwe residents to pay their rates to enable the local authority to improve service delivery.

“I urge you to pay the rates to the council as the council relies much on your money to execute its duties and service delivery such as refuse collection among others,” Mavhima said.

Mavhima made the remarks when he o cially commissioned Mafungautsi Polyclinic last week which was built using devolution funds and council revenue.