Magwegwe Community Dialogue with Local Authority
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC), on the 23rd of February 2020 conducted a community outreach meeting on the Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy in Magwegwe. The meeting was facilitated by Councilor Monica Lubimbi of ward 29 and officials from the Bulawayo City Council. The aim of the meeting was to outline the Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy to the community at large as it is yet to be implemented.
During the meeting the following issues were addressed:
Worsened Water Crisis
Residents expressed concern over the worsened water crisis, as they go to up to a week without water supply. BCC attested to trying all means possible to mitigate the ongoing water crisis as water levels at the dams in uMzingwane District.
Poor Road Networks
Road rehabilitation remains a necessity that residents are felt the Council is abandoning at the expense to preserving the lives. Council is currently incapacitated to undertake major rehabilitation of roads due to the economic downturn of the country.
The Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy
The Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy seeks to ensure that the City of Bulawayo’s approach to debt recovery/enforcement mechanism is sensitive and transparent. As residents continue to fall back on making payments towards Council utility bills, the Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy will lead to marked interest for overdue amounts. Residents pleaded with the Council against introducing the Policy as they fear losing their properties if they fail to comply with the demands stated in the document.