Matobo Rural District Council is owed close to ZWL$1 billion by various debtors, with villagers being the major defaulters.
This was revealed during a recent full council meeting.
The Chief Executive Officer, Elvis Sibanda said the occupiers of rural land owe the Rural District Council over ZWL$800 000 000.
“Debtor’s balance stood at ZWL$903 579 563.96 at the close of the quarter which indicated that most of our working capital was actually tied to uncollected debtors. The composition of the debtors was mainly the owners or occupiers of rural land which was ZWL$824 921 350 while the rest was distributed amongst institutional, industrial commercial and residential debtors,” said Sibanda.
He said revenue collection remains the number one target and it is key to their ability to service the district.
“I however, wish to point out that the most effective way of maximising revenue collection is for all of us to play a part in making it collectable, be it provision of information, registers or monitoring and evaluating activities in the district, including taking legal action, the process which we have started,” said Sibanda.
He added that in a bid to ensure effective revenue collection, the revenue collection team is on the ground.
“The dedicated vehicle on revenue collection is now back from service and is under the control of the finance department,” said Sibanda.
Meanwhile, Sibanda also said the creditors’ bill is high.
“We are navigating threats to garnish orders, legal action etc. We have tried to manage the situation by coming up with payment plans through which the amounts coupled with interests and penalties are becoming unbearable with each month that passes by,” said Sibanda.
