Harare City Council drags defaulters to court

Harare City Council has resorted to legal action to recover up to $25 million owed by residents and companies and cancelled more than 250 lease agreements after tenants failed to pay rentals, an official has said.

Council spokesperson Michael Chideme said the city had this week issued lease cancellation notices to defaulting tenants occupying council properties with debts of $4.5 million.

“We have also issued 4 039 warrants of execution against properties (of defaulters). The warrants are valued at $16 536 786.50,” he said.

An additional 28 404 summons have also been issued against defaulting ratepayers who owe nearly $25 million.

The city is owed in excess of $300 million with commercial and industrial ratepayers accounting for $176 million.

Chideme said all commercial properties that owe the city over $10 000 have been handed over for litigation through the High Court.

Residents combined owe the council $155.6 million while government departments and parastatals owe $11.3 million.-The Source

(229 VIEWS)