Harare City Council is owed over $10 million in unpaid rates by various churches.
Mayor Herbert Gomba on Monday summoned church leaders in a bid to make them pay their dues.
The churches, however, requested that the council offer them incentives such as a discount.
Zimbabwe Amalgamated Churches Council’s George Manongwa had this to say:
We are ready to pay, but we are saying your worship, may you consider giving us a 40% discount. Most of our churches are struggling. We know that we erred, but as your people, give us a chance to start afresh.
Also look at the amount we are buying the church stands, very exorbitant. The requirements that a church should have $30 000 in the account before they apply for a stand was prohibitive. In fact, let me say this, most indigenous churches are finding it hard to raise such kind of money. Can the council do something?
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