Redcliff Town Council says it is implementing debt recovery measures that could include it handing over defaulters to debt collectors.
The council late last year signalled that it was in financial distress as revenues had dwindled and it was struggling to meet its service delivery obligations. The council this week revealed that it had handed the billing and management of water to Kwekwe City Council, where it gets its water from, and owes the latter about ZW$90 million for the liquid.
The local authority will start issuing residents letters of final demand to compel them to clear their debt to the council or make payment plans, according to Redcliff Mayor Clayton Masiyatsva.
“On the issue of non-payment of bills, residents that have unpaid bills of over 120 days, which means such people are not paying to council, you will see the Director of Finance, through our debt collection department, issuing you with final letters of demand. The letters will be asking you to come to the council to pay your bills and make payment plans.”
Masiyatsva said residents should take heed of the final letters of demand by approaching the local authority to clear their debt or make payment plans
“When those letters come, I advise you to go to council`s civic centre, Rutendo or Torwood to make payment plans. For those that fail to make payment plans then we will be forced to take extra measures going forward.”
Masiyatsva encouraged residents to honour their obligations by paying their bills to ensure the council provides service.
Redcliff late last year started disconnecting water to defaulting residents amid efforts to recover its debt, according to media reports.