SYDNEY MUBAIWA
MIDLANDS BUREAU CHIEF

GWERU – Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) has petitioned the City of Gweru over the ongoing property attachment by a debt collector over outstanding bills.
A letter signed by GGRA director Conelious Selipiwe dated July 19, 2024, addressed to the Acting Town Clerk confirms the position.
“We have noted with concern that you have started attaching property of residents and it is our plea that you suspend the process and allow dialogue to take place. We therefore suggest you provide residents a period to settle what they owe council…,” reads part of the petition.
Gweru City Council Public Relations Officer Vimbai Chingwaramusee told The Mirror that the local authority engaged a debt collector because it is struggling to collect rates from ratepayers.
She said that council is owed ZWG$165 178 230.41 as of June 30, 2024 and collection has improved.
Selipiwe said council should have a threshold to guide residents.
“There should be a threshold that if you don’t pay such an amount then they would take a legal route. As a residents association we are clear and it is our position that property attachment should not happen.
“We are saying anyone who owes the local authority should be given an opportunity to go to council and come up with a payment plan. We have been patient and lenient with our council when they failed to provide water and fail to maintain our roads as well as garbage collection. They should also understand us as residents,” he said.