Bulawayo Councillors Propose 50% Debt Cancellation, Apology For Disconnecting Water

According to the minutes of the latest council meeting, Bulawayo City councillors resolved to suspend water disconnections to residents until August 31. The councillors also proposed a 50% debt cancellation for residents.

The council is owed $93 million by residents, $62 million by industrial and commercial entities while parastatals and some Government ministries owe it more than $3 million. The councillors instructed their finance department to assess the impact of a 50% debt cancellation before a final decision is made. Ward 1 Councillor Mlandu Ncube is one of the councillors that supported the idea that council reconnects affected residents and slash bills by 50 percent. Said Ncube:

Residents should pay 50 percent of what they owe and the remaining balance should be written off. Water disconnections should also be suspended until August 31. Council management should also apologise to residents through the media for the water disconnections.

Councillors, Tamani Moyo, Charles Moyo also supported the proposal.

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