THE Hwange Local Board (HLB) has threatened to repossess about 50 residential and 60 industrial stands after the owners failed to pay bills, or to develop them.
Although HLB’s spokesperson Mr Dumisani Nsingo could not immediately confirm the repossession of stands his sentiments suggested that it was a decision, which the local authority was most likely to undertake soon.
A notice by council on its official Twitter handle was calling on listed property owners in Chibondo medium density and industrial areas to visit the local authority’s offices before 20 December to pay off their outstanding bills.
The rate defaulters have not paid council for a period of more than 120 days, with some not having done so for years.
“Note that Council has already started the process of instituting legal proceedings against rate defaulters and measures are being taken to repossess undeveloped stands in-line with the Urban Councils’ Act, which compels the local authority to repossess undeveloped stands without compensation, where necessary,” read part of the notice.
HLB has over the past two years implemented various strategies aimed at enhancing its revenue collection but not much has been yielded from the exercises.
A few months ago, council through its lawyers issued final letters of demand to rate defaulters.
The local authority is owed more than $200 million in unpaid rates by residents and various stakeholders.
“The notice we flighted wasn’t for repossessing properties but it was to remind the property owners to come forth and make plans to pay their outstanding bills. However, the beneficiaries of those properties will be dealt with as per policy.
“Just like any other Council, we are likely to repossess. There are laws that permit us to do so such as the Titles Registration and Derelict Lands Act Chapter 20:20 and the Urban Councils Act. Council is empowered to repossess and resell undeveloped housing stands after five years,” said Mr Nsingo.
HLB is battling to improve its revenue collection, which has been hovering just above 30 percent for the past two years.
Mr Nsingo said failure by beneficiaries to develop their stands was retarding the growth of the town.
“We have an ever-ballooning waiting and as a town which is envisaging growth we can’t have land, which stays undeveloped for years,” he said.
The local authority is owed more than $200 million in unpaid rates by residents and various stakeholders.
According to a list seen by Sunday News some of the owners who have reportedly defaulted in paying their bills or abandoned their properties are AFM Zimbabwe, RM Construction, Rantel Services, Hilmax Engineering, Luckjoy Investments, Sunforzim, Glow Petroleum and Viberk Engineering. – Sunday News
