The Harare City Council has served about 20 000 defaulters with summons to attach properties as it moves to recover money owed in unpaid bills by residents.

The council is owed in excess of US$400 million in unpaid bills by residents and industry.

The Harare City Council has served 20 000 households in Borrowdale, Mabvuku, Mt Pleasant, Highlands, Mabelreign, Marlborough and other suburbs with summons to attach properties.

Earlier this year, the city fathers disconnected water supplies to defaulters hoping they would pay their dues but this did not turn out the way they wanted, leaving with no option but to attach properties.

“Indeed, we have issued these households with summons, 10 000 have been served with warrants of execution for attachment while the other half should come forward and arrange for payment plans,” Harare City Council Principal Customer Relations Officer, Dorothy Mavolwane, said.

The city fathers have resorted to incentivising debtors who pay all their dues by offering discounts of up to 30 percent.

The council has also been failing to meet its financial obligations with workers reportedly going for months without getting their salaries.

Service delivery is also at an all time low. Source: zbc