3-mob.com 
The government has directed rural and urban councils to write off all outstanding debts for utilities from 2009 to June 2013, State TV reported last night.
The reprieve covers the period from when Zimbabwe started using a multi-currency system until the end of June 2013.
Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister, Dr Ignatius Chombo blamed sanctions, the underperforming economy and high unemployment for there being huge debts towards local authorities.
In terms of section 133 of the Rural District Councils Act chapter 29:13 as read with section 303 of the Rural, Urban Councils Act chapter 29:15 councils are directed to write off debts in respect of rentals, unit tax, development levy, refuse charges and water and sewer fees as at 30 June 2013. Similarly, amounts owed by residents in respect of rates since February 2009 stand prescribed in terms of section 15 of the Prescription Act chapter 8:11.
Minister Chombo also took time to have a go at the MDC-T led councils across the country accusing them of poor management of urban local authorities, corruption and embezzlement of funds.
Nothing was said with respect to those who were paying their rates. Will they be credited amounts that they paid?
Sure we have disagreements for how dollarisation was translated in terms of the rate that was used among other things which meant most of the country has generally been in debt for years.
Don’t get us wrong. We’re happy to be out of debt. The thing is, what happens next? We’ll see what happens.
With information from ZBC News Online
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