Mutare flags Defence ministry as highest debtor
THE Defence ministry has been flagged as the highest debtor of Mutare City Council, with a number of government ministries and entities also owing the local authority millions of United States dollars, which is affecting service delivery in the eastern border city.
This was revealed in the city’s half-year performance report released by town clerk Blessing Chafesuka.
The half-year performance review takes stock of the six-month performance while informing the city’s 2026 planning and getting reviews on how the local authority’s budget performance can be improved, and getting feedback on service delivery matters.
The report says the Defence ministry owes the city council ZWL$40 609 524,13 followed by Mutasa Rural District Council which owes ZWL$24 071 129,43 in unpaid water bills.
Other organisations flagged in the report include the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, National Railways of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe National Water Authority and Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, which are among the top 10 debtors owing the city council. In the report, Chafesuka said council was issuing letters of final demand and summons to the debtors.
“Payment plans are accepted. Water rationing has also been initiated and disconnection of services in extreme cases,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chafesuka said the local authority had signed a memorandum of understanding with Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences.
“We are rolling out students’ recruitment and it’s now open to the public. Our students for the next two years are guaranteed of jobs immediately after successful completion of the one-year course,” he said.
“We engaged some councils and we hope to engage more corporates and councils to take up students from the institute.
“Those who want to be fire fighters are welcome to join this internationally-recognised course and stand a chance to work for any fire department worldwide.”
Chafesuka said council was happy that it concluded the 2024 financial statements which were submitted to the Auditor-General within the statutory period.
In the report, Chafesuka also highlighted the recently ended Sanganai/Hlanganani Tourism Expo which was successfully hosted by the city.
“Sanganai preparations were initiated and council successfully complemented government effort,” he said.
“We supported and continue to support the Grant Reef Airport (project). Our dozer, engineers and our fire trucks provided support to the airport.
“Our fire truck is still stationed there and we provided fire services when veld fires were reported.” _*NewsDay*_
