THE Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) has protested a council decision to attach residents’ property over outstanding bills.
GRRA director Cornelia Selipiwe said the move had strained relations between the local authority and residents.
In a letter dated July 19 addressed to the acting town clerk, Selipiwe said: “We have noted with concern that you have started attaching property of residents and it is our plea that you suspend the process and allow (for) dialogue to take place.
“We, therefore, suggest you provide residents a period to settle what they owe council. This way of debt recovery strains relations between your office and residents.”
Selipiwe said council should find other means of collecting money from debtors.
He said residents had been patient with the council in the face of poor services, hence the local authority should, therefore, reciprocate the gesture by giving debtors time to settle their debts.
“It is our thinking that we could come up with better ways of debt recovery. What surprises us is that you are attaching for as little as US$100.”
In a statement, council said it followed procedure in attaching property.
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“Council only attaches people’s property when one neglects to pay council bills and arrears after being given a final demand,” council said.
“There are summons which are also issued commencing action for seven days to clear the amounts and if someone defaults the judgment and there is no action taken by that person, then there is a warranty of attachment on someone’s property.”
The local authority encouraged residents to pay their bills or approach council for payment plans.
