BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has unveiled a credit control and debt collection policy that seeks to maintain predictable cashflows and allow for improved management of debtors, among others.

Council is owed about $221 million as of December 2019 broken down to $100 million by domestic debtors, $44 million by government, industry and commerce $72 million and $5 million by parastatals.

Council argues that failure by its debtors to clear outstanding payments is affecting its ability to provide efficient services and clear its debts with various creditors.

The local authority owes various creditors $256 794 852 for the month of January, up from $223 440 579 in December.

The policy does not spare even BCC staff and councillors as it insists on forced deductions from their salaries if they have outstanding bills.

“Any person receiving a salary or allowances from the city may not be in arrears to the city for rates and consumer service charges for a period longer than three months (unless suitable arrangements have been made for the payment of arrears) and council may deduct any outstanding amounts from the person’s salary after this period,” the 25-paged document read.

“The city shall liaise with the relevant persons referred to in 59 above and their departmental representatives and issue the necessary salary deduction instruction where appropriate after compliance with the provisions of the Labour Relations Act.”

Council has been operating without a documented credit control and debt collection policy. It has been relying on resolutions, the Urban Councils Act, the water and sewage by-laws and other pieces of legislation.

“The FD (finance director) shall be the implementing authority: (a) implement and enforce the city’s credit control and debt collection policy and any by-laws enacted in terms of the Urban Councils Act;

“(b) In accordance with the credit control and debt collection policy and any such by-laws establish effective administrative mechanisms, processes and procedures to collect money that is due and payable to the city,” it adds.

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has unveiled a credit control and debt collection policy that seeks to maintain predictable cashflows and allow for improved management of debtors, among others.

Council is owed about $221 million as of December 2019 broken down to $100 million by domestic debtors, $44 million by government, industry and commerce $72 million and $5 million by parastatals.

Council argues that failure by its debtors to clear outstanding payments is affecting its ability to provide efficient services and clear its debts with various creditors.

The local authority owes various creditors $256 794 852 for the month of January, up from $223 440 579 in December.

The policy does not spare even BCC staff and councillors as it insists on forced deductions from their salaries if they have outstanding bills.

“Any person receiving a salary or allowances from the city may not be in arrears to the city for rates and consumer service charges for a period longer than three months (unless suitable arrangements have been made for the payment of arrears) and council may deduct any outstanding amounts from the person’s salary after this period,” the 25-paged document read.

“The city shall liaise with the relevant persons referred to in 59 above and their departmental representatives and issue the necessary salary deduction instruction where appropriate after compliance with the provisions of the Labour Relations Act.”

Council has been operating without a documented credit control and debt collection policy. It has been relying on resolutions, the Urban Councils Act, the water and sewage by-laws and other pieces of legislation.

“The FD (finance director) shall be the implementing authority: (a) implement and enforce the city’s credit control and debt collection policy and any by-laws enacted in terms of the Urban Councils Act;

“(b) In accordance with the credit control and debt collection policy and any such by-laws establish effective administrative mechanisms, processes and procedures to collect money that is due and payable to the city,” it adds.

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has unveiled a credit control and debt collection policy that seeks to maintain predictable cashflows and allow for improved management of debtors, among others.

Council is owed about $221 million as of December 2019 broken down to $100 million by domestic debtors, $44 million by government, industry and commerce $72 million and $5 million by parastatals.

Council argues that failure by its debtors to clear outstanding payments is affecting its ability to provide efficient services and clear its debts with various creditors.

The local authority owes various creditors $256 794 852 for the month of January, up from $223 440 579 in December.

The policy does not spare even BCC staff and councillors as it insists on forced deductions from their salaries if they have outstanding bills.

“Any person receiving a salary or allowances from the city may not be in arrears to the city for rates and consumer service charges for a period longer than three months (unless suitable arrangements have been made for the payment of arrears) and council may deduct any outstanding amounts from the person’s salary after this period,” the 25-paged document read.

“The city shall liaise with the relevant persons referred to in 59 above and their departmental representatives and issue the necessary salary deduction instruction where appropriate after compliance with the provisions of the Labour Relations Act.”

Council has been operating without a documented credit control and debt collection policy. It has been relying on resolutions, the Urban Councils Act, the water and sewage by-laws and other pieces of legislation.

“The FD (finance director) shall be the implementing authority: (a) implement and enforce the city’s credit control and debt collection policy and any by-laws enacted in terms of the Urban Councils Act;

“(b) In accordance with the credit control and debt collection policy and any such by-laws establish effective administrative mechanisms, processes and procedures to collect money that is due and payable to the city,” it adds.

BY SILAS NKALA

Beitbridge youths have raised concern over escalating unemployment and failure to access loans for entrepreneurial projects due to lack of collateral.

Zimbabwe’s unemployment rate is around 90%, according to non-governmental organisations.

Zimbabwe Statistics Agency (ZimStat), however, ranked the employment rate at 93,4% as at May 2018.

The agency said at least only 6,6% of the economically active Zimbabwean population of 5,6 million people was unemployed with the majority of those working found in the agriculture sector.

Speaking at a meeting with Beitbridge East legislator Albert Nguluvhe (Zanu PF) on Saturday, the youth, said information dissemination in the constituency was poor.

Posting on his official constituency Facebook page, Nguluvhe said the engagement with the youth was informative.

“On Saturday, I had the opportunity to meet with youths in Beitbridge (from different organisations) to discuss their issues and aspirations. The interface was very informative and educative. This was my first engagement with youths in Beitbridge town on professional grounds,” Nguluvhe said.

He said such meetings were a platform to exchange ideas and propose solutions to challenges youths face and will eventually push developmental issues in the constituency.

“Some of the major issues of concern raised at the meeting include; unemployment, failure to access loans because of lack of collateral and also poor dissemination of information on matters which concern them,” the MP said.

“We have agreed to start on a new page and find each other as we continually engage in the community, on youth development, and national economic development matters. My door remains open for all those with suggestions and ideas on how we can move forward as a community, district and nation.”

Nguluvhe vowed to assist the youths regardless of political affiliation.

Speaking to Southern Eye yesterday, Nguluvhe said the meeting was his first interface with the youths.

“We have not been on talking terms with them, but this time they are the ones who invited me for a meeting and I told them that the problem was that we did not communicate,” Nguluvhe said.

“They complained over unemployment. I then advised them to come up with a position paper on what they want. They told me that they wanted land but could not clearly state what type of land, for farming or for any other business. I want them to tell me what they want to do and I will see how can I assist them,” he said.

Nguluvhe said he also advised them that those who wanted scholarships should present their papers so that he sees if he could assist them in getting Presidential scholarships.

“I also told them that Beitbridge had no jobs and the only thing that could help them was to venture into entrepreneurial projects. So when we meet next time if they bring their position paper, I will see how best I can help them,” he said.

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

OPPOSITION leader Nelson Chamisa will today meet the party’s divided structures in Bulawayo, as part of efforts to mend rifts which have cost them votes in the past elections, Southern Eye has learnt.

MDC Bulawayo spokesperson Swithern Chirowodza told the Southern Eye that the party president would also apprise the structures on his recent international engagements and the way forward.

“It’s a meeting of the structures … also he will touch on developments within the party. One of the issues up for discussion is to do with the holding of rallies, a solidarity rally for (Ntabazinduna dethroned Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe) Ndiweni realising that the police seems to have outlawed the party’s rallies,” Chirowodza said yesterday.

“Also, he is going to be giving feedback to the leaders of the province on his recent international engagements.”

Chamisa was in South Africa recently seeking diplomatic support towards solving the country’s deepening socio-economic, political crises.

In December, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed concern over the country’s crisis, pledging his governments’ support to a churches’ initiative towards finding a lasting solution.

Ramaphosa was meeting the World Council of Churches general-secretary Olav Fykse Tveit, Zimbabwe Council of Churches general-secretary Kenneth Mtata, among other delegates where the Zimbabwe question was also discussed.

By Garikai Mafirakureva

THE opposition MDC has again suspended Masvingo mayor, Collin Maboke, and the entire provincial executive due to continued bickering and maladministration.

Maboke, who has been suspended for the third time, is being accused of defying party directives after he threw his hat in the ring to challenge preferred mayoral candidate Godfrey Kurauone and went on to win the post.

The announcement was made by party leader Nelson Chamisa over the weekend when he met the Masvingo provincial executive.

MDC deputy national chairperson, Job sikhala, has confirmed the development, and said an independent committee will be running party affairs in the province.

“The party made a resolution that the candidate for the mayor of Masvingo was councillor Godfrey Kurauone. The MDC has the majority in Masvingo City Council. To have an MDC mayor and a Zanu PF deputy speaks of underground deals that could have happened. The resolution of the party on who should be mayor should be implemented without question,” Sikhala said.

MDC controls Masvingo council after winning seven seats out of 10 in the 2018 elections.

However, there was an outcry from MDC supporters in the town after the surprise election of ward 6 Zanu PF councillor and local property mogul, Wellington Mahwende, as deputy mayor.
Supporters accused MDC councillors of betrayal and receiving bribes from the land baron to support his bid to become deputy mayor.

Mahwende garnered seven votes against the MDC’s Serina Maridza, who got three.

Sikhala said the party resolution should be respected.

“The announcement was to the effect that the national council resolution should just be obliged to. It is one of the issues of insubordination, which the province is alleged to have committed. Resolutions of the party are sacrosanct and need to be applied within the framework of the party,” he said.

Maboke could not be drawn into commenting on whether he was going to step down this time or defy the suspension.

“I have no comment,” he said curtly.

Sikhala said the party had also resolved to dissolve the entire Masvingo provincial executive following continued bickering and maladministration.

“As announced by the people’s president, advocate Nelson Chamisa, there will be an independent committee that is going to run the state of affairs in Masvingo to deal specifically with the issues of branch formation and sifting through districts with multiple structures into shape,” he said.

“The terms of references of the independent committee will be to align all the structures of Masvingo province with the dictates of the MDC constitution, resolutions of the national council and current thrust of the party to advance the vision of his excellency, the people’s president, advocate Nelson Chamisa.”

The combative deputy chair assured that the suspended members of the executive were not going to be fired from the party, but would be retained as ordinary card-carrying members.

“Any deviation from the vision will lead the party to enforce the policy that; if you don’t shape up, we will not ship you out, but force you to shape up. We are not shipping the suspended members, but shaping them to become aware of duties expected of someone in leadership position in the party,” Sikhala said.

“People are not in positions for decoration. They are there to deliver. It is a warning to all that we owe it to the people’s struggle to deliver change, not to derail change. Confusion of multiple structures for the same position as witnessed in Masvingo derails the struggle.”

Part of Binga road which was damaged by floods

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

TWENTY-ONE families were left marooned and road infrastructure destroyed in Binga, Matabeleland North province, following flash floods that hit the area since the weekend, with the Local Government ministry revealing that the Air Force of Zimbabwe and other organs were co-ordinating evacuation efforts.

Last week, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) warned of heavy rains accompanied by violent winds and floods.

Binga’s Nsungwale area under Chief Sinakoma was the worst hit.

“The flooded area is where four rivers meet, namely Sibwambwa, Sikande, Namapande and Manyenyengwa. Due to the heavy backlash, all the 21 families in the floodplain are marooned and 11 others are being assisted to reach safe zones,” the Local Government ministry said in a statement yesterday.

“The rapid assessment by the district civil protection committee indicates that there could be more people affected considering the general settlement patterns in Binga district.”
Violent storms accompanied by flash floods are becoming commonplace in the country, resulting in loss of life and property.

The MSD has been trying to issue impact-based weather information to minimise loss of life.

“As an immediate intervention, the Air Force of Zimbabwe, being an active member of the emergency services sub-committee, has mobilised two helicopters to assist the affected families. The sub-aqua unit stationed at Fairbridge in Bulawayo was also mobilised.

“The district civil protection committee was directed to intensify their assessments until they ascertain the actual number of people affected and those in need of assistance. The civil protection committee is dispatching 100 tents and blankets to Binga,” the ministry said, adding it was seized with mobilising food and non-food items to the affected families.

BY STEPHEN CHADENGA

MIDLANDS Provincial Affairs minister Larry Mavima yesterday called upon all stakeholders to join hands with the police and decisively deal with machete gangs before they become warlords who have a potential to start a civil war.

Speaking at a Gweru (church) Ministers Fraternal-organised meeting on ending violence in the province, Mavima said history was going to charge society harshly for failing to deal with the machete violence menace in the country.

“As society, and the Midlands province in particular, we should begin to ask ourselves: Who are these machete-wielding gangs?” Mavima said.

“The worst thing we can do is fold our arms, watch, sit and do nothing. In other countries, such gangs have become warlords and that is how civil wars start.”

Mavima said there was need for people to unite and flush out machete gangs who were tarnishing the province’s image.

He said people should always be vigilant and work together with the police to ensure that the province was a no-go area for machete gangs.

“Let us respect and give authority to the police to carry out their duties,” he said.

“Let us build a wall around our city (Gweru) and the whole of Midlands province. It should be a no-go area for machete-wielding people.”

Speaking at the same occasion, officer commanding Midlands police, Assistant Commissioner Moses Magandi said the involvement of the public was the best way to deal with the problem of machete gangs.

He said the name given to the gangs “MaShurugwi” had already soiled Shurugwi town’s image.

“Let us not continue calling them MaShurugwi because they are machete-wielding criminals,” he said.

“As Midlands police, we are going to vigorously revive neighbourhood watch committees as we increase our efforts to involve the public in dealing with this menace.”

BY WINSTONE ANTONIO

AWARD-WINING stand-up comedian Carl Joshua Ncube has struck a partnership with a South African real estate firm and Feel Good Africa for the launch of an inaugural week-long Love Africa festival scheduled for May 25 to 31 in Maboneng, Johannesburg. Ncube, who is the festival director and curator, said the fete will feature a snapshot of various aspects of Africa including music, comedy, tourism, business and technology at the former Museum of African Design in Maboneng.

“Love Africa will celebrate African communities in South Africa and will seek to target African embassies, entrepreneurs, technology developers, chefs, restaurants, artists, comedians and musicians all based in South Africa to help demonstrate the power of togetherness and solidarity among Africans,” he said.

“The festival will be split into three zones in the day with the mornings having business exhibitions, talks, panel discussions and forums leading into an afternoon programme of food and cooking demonstrations by African chefs in the afternoons ending with sponsored cocktail events while the evening will feature a pop up seven-day comedy club, acoustic nights and pool parties to cap off each evening.”

Ncube said the festival will also include the launch of three television channels curated and produced by Feel Good Africa that will be presented to broadcast, satellite, video on demand and terrestrial platforms that celebrate African food, comedy, travel and financial markets.

“There will be a wonderful gallery space where we will curate some awesome work from all over the continent featuring African artists in 2D, 3D and mix media as well as an augmented reality journey through African art,” he said.

BY CHELSEA MUSAFARE

TALENTED local hip hop chanter Tinashe “Ti Gonzi” Gonzara has collaborated with veteran urban grooves musician Sanii Makhalima on his latest track, Devil is a Liar.

The offering, which was released late last week, has already received a fair share of airplay on local radio stations.

Ti Gonzi told NewsDay Life & Style that the move was part of his 2020 resolutions to appreciate God for his protection and guidance following his several near-death encounters last year.

“The song was inspired by the bad things I came across in my life that almost took my life, but God saved me. I realised that no being or spirit is more powerful than the Almighty. It is a different track because ever since my popularity I have never really done a gospel song that praises Jehovah and concentrated on it like this,” he said.

The Kure hitmaker said he was happy to work with Makhalima because he was one of the artistes who always inspired him.

“Sanii Makhalima has been an inspiration to me ever since the urban grooves days. I have always cherished his voice since childhood, so I felt I needed to do a song with him. It so happened that I had to put him on a song I felt like he was the best candidate for.

He said themes on the track were centred on exalting the name of God and dealing with life struggles.

“The song will let the audience know that I am a serious Christian despite the faults I make because I am not perfect. They will know that God is the saviour no matter what, when he says yes, no one can say no.”

The new offering was recorded by Bilberry, his long-time producer, while Makhalima mixed his own vocals as well as some parts of the song. The rapper last year survived a car accident with some head injuries on his way to Masvingo where he was set to perform. He was also kidnapped and stabbed in Harare that same year.