Staff Reporter
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development Secretary, George Guvamatanga has called on the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led Harare City Council to withdraw its notice advising rate payers to pay their bills in USD and revert to the stipulated and acceptable currency.
In a letter to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works Secretary, Zvinenchimwe Churu, Guvamataganga advised that the CCC-led Councils should be reminded of Statutory Instrument 33 of 2019, and be ordered to revert back to the billing systems in accordance with the country’s laws.
“As you are aware, Secretary, in 2019, Government adopted the use of the Zimbabwean dollar which was introduced in February 2019 through the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (Amendment of Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act and Issue Real Time Gross Settlement Electronic Dollars (RTGS Dollars)) Regulations, 2019 published in Statutory Instrument 33 of 2019.
“The charging and billing in United States Dollars by the City of Harare or any local authority is unlawful and contravenes the above cited laws. As city councils fall under your purview, may you ensure that the City of Harare withdraws its Notice and that all local authorities comply with the relevant laws,” Guvamatanga said.
Furthermore, Guvamatanga stressed that it should be up to individuals with free funds to opt to pay their services in USD, and that rates and services should not be charged in the foreign currency.
“In March 2020, Government published SI 85 of 2020 which, in section 2(2) provides that any person with free funds may elect to pay for goods and services chargeable in Zimbabwe dollar, in foreign currency using his or her free funds at the ruling rate on the date of payment. The payment, in foreign currency by any person paying for goods and services should be at his/her option unless otherwise exempted and cannot be compelled to pay in foreign currency,” read the letter.
This followed the billing notice that was given to all residence by the City of Harare informing that as from 1 July 2023, council bills would denominated in USD. This is not the first time that the CCC-led council has tried to rip off citizens by ridiculously charging their clamp fees for non-payment of parking fees to US$132.
