MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU-The Ministry of Finance has come under fire over the non-payment of bills by government departments to City of Gweru, as the Midlands capital grapples with mounting debts that are undermining service delivery.
The local authority is owed a staggering ZwG737 million by various debtors, with government departments alone accounting for ZwG121 million.
The debts severely affect the council’s ability to provide basic services to residents, who continue to face shrinking municipal support.
During a parliamentary question and answer session last week, Mkoba South legislator John Kuka grilled Deputy Minister of Finance Kudakwashe Mnangagwa on when treasury would settle the outstanding bills.
In response, Mnangagwa acknowledged the government’s indebtedness to local authorities, including City of Gweru, and outlined steps being taken to address the arrears.
“Treasury is committed to clearing all verified debts in a structured and sustainable manner,” he said, emphasizing the need for councils to ensure that all submitted invoices are properly validated by the relevant government departments before processing.
Mnangagwa further noted that the verification process is essential for determining how much is owed to various entities, including ZINWA and ZESA, before payments can be made.
“Once validated, bills should be formally submitted through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to Treasury for consideration and processing,” he explained.
Kuka, however, expressed concern over the ongoing pressure on residents, citing cases where properties were being confiscated to cover unpaid services.
“The non-payment by government and other agents is creating immense challenges for residents,” he said.
Government departments frequently default on bills payment, piling pressure on council revenues already strained by rising service delivery demands.
