Harare City Council will seek authorisation from the central government to charge certain ratepayers, services and products in foreign currency.
This was said by Harare Mayor Councillor Herbert Gomba while giving his State of the City Address (SOCA) at Town House on Tuesday. He said:
The Council is also engaging the government in a bid to secure authority to charge certain ratepayers, services and products in forex.
… the above is not peculiar to Harare alone, because some fast food outlets designated tourism facilities are allowed to charge in forex.
Gomba further stated that the council is lobbying Parliament to make a law that will empower the local authority to execute garnishing orders, just like Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).
Service delivery in Harare is deplorable with council blaming residents and business for non-payment of rates making it impossible the City Fathers to fulfil their mandate. Total revenue owed to the council is over $1 billion.