By Correspondent
Marondera leads a group of 9 Councils with the highest percentage of uncollected rentals between 2016 and 2021.
The other 8 are Harare, Makonde, Ruwa, Zvimba, Chinhoyi, Epworth, Karoi and Chitungwiza.
According to the Auditor General Rhea Kujinga the Mash East town has failed to collect 86% of money it is owed.
“Marondera Municipality had the highest percentage of outstanding rentals of 86 percent as at November 30, 2020.
Second is Makonde with 81 percent and Zvimba with 79 percent.
Ruwa was the least with 39 percent at the same date.
The 9 local authorities have failed to collect at least ZWL$400 million from revenue generating properties.
As at November 2020, Harare was owed ZWL$396 060 279, as at December 31, 2021.
Ruwa is owed ZWL$1 518 559 and Chinhoyi was owed ZWL$522 722 as at November 2020.
Meanwhile Zvimba was owed ZWL$198 464 during the same period.
As at November 2020, Makonde was owed ZWL$15 693 while Marondera was owed $252 374 during the same period.
However, government has increased pressure on Councils to craft ways to recoup all money owed.
This has resulted in threats of litigation against residents by local authorities.
Harare, owed over $1,5 trillion, has already issued over 2000 summons against defaulters.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo, with a revenue collection rate of at 38% in 2023 has informed residents of plans to go to court.
Gvt has directed that it should increase its revenue collection percentage to at least 60% in 2024.
