Harare residents yesterday accused Harare City Council of unleashing private debt collectors to attach their properties without giving them an adequate notice period to clear their arrears. Residents who spoke to NewsDay said they were shocked to receive letters from Wellcash Debt Collectors saying they only had 48 hours to clear their debts or risk attachment of their assets.
However, council spokesperson, Michael Chideme, said defaulters had been given ample time to pay off their arrears or at least propose a flexible payment plan. Said Chideme:
We gave adequate notice through letters from the time that the debts started accumulating and we are happy with the response of residents who are visiting our offices to make payments. We are owed over $550 million by our customers and we need that money to fund service delivery in the city.
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