Has Grace Mugabe been ripping off Zimbabwe’s urban residents?

A debt collection company that was engaged by most local authorities to collect money owed by residents in most of the country’s urban councils belongs to former First Lady Grace Mugabe and former Minister of Local Government Saviour Kasukuwere, Movement for Democratic Change legislator Job Sikhala said yesterday.

He said if the Minister of Local Government July Moyo was not aware of the company, Well Cash, this meant he was sleeping on the job.

Moyo said he was not sleeping on the job but would investigate the matter.

Speaker Jacob Mudenda said since the minister had the name of the company he should go and investigate and then make a ministerial statement.

“Knowing the Hon. Minister as I do, he will expeditiously come up with that ministerial statement,” Mudenda said.

Full exchange:

HON. SIKHALA:  Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir.  My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government, Hon. July Moyo.  I want to know the Government policy vis a vis the current developments in local authorities where the commissions that were put in place during the climax of the previous Government when they appointed debt collectors in local authorities whose role and duty is for them to follow up residents who owe council and are asked to deposit the rates into the debt collector’s company.  Is that lawful and what is the locus standi of the debt collectors who are terrorising residents in local authorities at the present moment?

THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC WORKS AND NATIONAL HOUSING (HON. J. MOYO):  Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would like to have more information on this question and be given specific roles or specific situations where these debt collectors are.  I have not been able to know the role of debt collectors as a policy of Government.  Thank you – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order.

HON. SIKHALA:  Hon. Minister, I think it is common cause that you know the Government engaged a debt collection company called Well Cash Debt Collectors.  These have been doing the job through the commissions.  It is very true.  It is a debt collection company that…

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, address the Chair.

HON. SIKHALA:  It is a debt collection company which we understand whose directors are the former Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Saviour Kasukuwere and the former First Lady, which is currently doing the debt collection in local authorities, especially in Chitungwiza, Harare, Gweru and all other local authorities.  If the Minister does not know, that it means that he is sleeping on the job – [Laughter.]

HON. J. MOYO:  I am sure the Hon. Member knows that the Minister is not sleeping on the job, but he can say what he wants.  Mr. Speaker, I will go and check.  I do not know of any Government policy regarding Government appointing debt collectors.  Debt collectors might be appointed – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order!

HON. J. MOYO:   Mr. Speaker, I do not know any Government policy where Government appoints debt collectors for Chitungwiza, Harare or for any other local authority.  If he has specific appointed debt collectors by local authorities, I am asking for him to submit to me specific names so that we can investigate.  Thank you – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Hon. Sikhala, what was the name of the company.

HON. SIKHALA:  Mr. Speaker Sir, the name of the debt collection company is Well Cash Debt Collection Company.  It is all over all local authorities throughout Zimbabwe.  I can bring him primary evidence tomorrow if he wants – [Laughter.]

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order!  Now the company is known, I suggest the Hon. Minister follows that company and comes to the House and makes a Ministerial Statement – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjection.] – Hon. Members, please sit down. Knowing the Hon. Minister as I do, he will expeditiously come up with that Ministerial Statement.

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